Dennis Roy Griffin

Dennis Roy Griffin, also known as “Griff”, was born on October 24, 1958, in Nettleton, Mississippi to Elmer and Mary Griffin. He departed this life on November 8, 2024, at the age of 67. He was preceded in death, by his brother Darren Baker, both parents, his son Brian Vaughn, and his paternal and maternal grandparents

Dennis grew up in Wren, Mississippi. He accepted Christ at an early age and was a member of Union Grove Methodist Church, under the leadership of his late grandfather, Rev. John Thomas Griffin. Dennis later joined Greater Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church after the family moved to Kansas City, Missouri.

Dennis would often boast to his siblings about being the oldest and the first grandchild. He often reminisced about growing up and making sure everyone was ok. In 1974, Dennis graduated from Central High School in Kansas City, Missouri. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army, later receiving an honorable discharge in 1979. Dennis went on to work for Lake City Ammunition Plant in Independence, Missouri. He then worked for KU Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas where he met his wife of 45 years, Glenda Vaughn.

Dennis was an avid Kansas City Chiefs fan. So much so, that on game day he would be decked out from head to toe in Chiefs gear! Dennis was an immaculate dresser and was fitted with gators, furs, hats, and an array of suits. He was as sharp as a tack and credited his uncle Frank Green as his style inspiration. Dennis loved his Cadillacs, riding, and listening to his old school music. He also loved cowboy movies, good home cooked meals, barbecues, holidays, birthdays, and family time were his favorite.

Dennis could be described as the glue that kept the family together from Kansas City, to Mississippi, to Detroit. He wasn't your average cousin. Dennis was a cousin-brother, cousin-best friend, cousin-grandpa, cousin-uncle. He loved his family to infinity and beyond! Dennis was also a homebody, and you could always find him sitting in the kitchen on his Tweety Bird perch (barstool) watching TV and talking on his phone.

The memory of our beloved Dennis will forever live on in the lives of his wife: Glenda Vaughn of Kansas City, Missouri; daughter: Tesla Darthard of Raytown, Missouri, grandchildren: Zechariah Palton and Ashley Vaughn; stepfather: Greg Eason; siblings: Anthony Griffin, John Griffin, Brenda Jones, Pamela Chandler, and Chantella Willard of Kansas City, Missouri; aunts: Geraldine Terry of Wren, Mississippi, Gennette Harper of Nettleton, Mississippi; uncle: John Russell Griffin of Aberdeen, Mississippi; a special Great Niece Ivy Rose Nevels; dear friends: Ricky Baskerville of Potosi, Missouri; Ricky Small of Tupelo, Mississippi; James Hawkins of Kansas City, Missouri; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dog… his four-legged nephew, Spike who loved him beyond measure.