Butch Griffith

Butch Griffith age 71 of Newcastle, went home to be with his Lord on Friday, October 16, 2015 in Oklahoma City. Sherrell David Griffith, known as "Butch" all of his life, was born on March 31, 1944 in Oklahoma City. He was the oldest of three children born to John Daniel Griffith and Mae Jean (Smith) Griffith. He grew up on a dairy farm in Newcastle and farmed up until the time of his death. Butch graduated from Newcastle High School in 1962. While in high school he was active in FFA and received both the State Farmer and American Farmer degrees. After high school he attended Oklahoma State University, graduating in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Dairy Science. While at OSU he was a member of the Alpha Gama Rho Fraternity where he served as treasurer. On August 6, 1966 Butch married Saundra Kay Pate. Together they raised three children, Kayla, Todd and Ty. For the rest of his life, Butch lived and worked on the family dairy farm in Newcastle and was actively involved in the Newcastle community. He served on the Newcastle City Council and was Mayor of Newcastle for eight years, from 1981-1989. He served as a member of the Newcastle Fair board and was active in supporting his children in their school activities. He served as vice-president of the Young Farmers of Oklahoma and was a member of the Dairy Farmers of America. He became a Pioneer seed representative in 1972 and continued until his death. He was appointed to the National Cattlemen's Beef Board by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture for eight years and also as a member of the Oklahoma Beef Industry Council, where he served as chairman. Butch was a lifelong member of the Newcastle First Baptist Church where he served as church treasurer for many years. One of his favorite hobbies when he was younger was flying. After becoming a private pilot he enjoyed flying with his wife and children as well as flying to see the OSU Cowboys play football. Throughout his life he remained an OSU football fan. But most of all he enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren grow up and going to their sporting events. Butch was a rare man. He was infinitely kind and took the adage, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all" to heart. Butch was not prone to showing emotion or affection. Even so, none of his family ever doubted his tremendous love for them. Butch leaves us a legacy of how to have respect for each other and quiet determined strength. I Thes 4:11-12 sums up Butch. "Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you. Then people who are not Christians will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others. He will be remembered as a wonderful husband, father and Papa. He was a special brother, a special uncle and a good friend to all who knew him. He was preceded in death by: Parents, John and Jean Griffith; He is survived by: Wife, Saundra Griffith of the home; Daughter, Kayla Nail and husband Karl of Newcastle, Sons, Todd Griffith and wife Leslie of Newcastle, Ty Griffith and wife Teri Ann of Collinsville, OK. Two sisters, Elaine Griffith-Perales and husband Dennis Perales of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Debbie Scroggins of Newcastle; A sister-in-law, Sherrie Johnson and husband Dannie of Cooper, TX; Six grandchildren, Darci, Kayli and Karli Nail, Emily Griffith, Tylie and Thatcher Griffith; Four nieces, Becky Eskew, Andrea Slakey, Karla Meeks and Whitney Scroggins; Also numerous cousins and other relatives and friends; Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, October 21, 2015 at the First Baptist Church in Newcastle. Interment will be at the Newcastle Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Living the Vision Fund at the Newcastle First Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at Wilson-Little Funeral Home in Newcastle.

Butch Griffith

March 31, 1944 - October 16, 2015