David Corwin Griffin

David “Dave” Corwin Griffin, Sr. was born March 19, 1945, in Vallejo, California, to Carroll and Patricia Griffin. He is the eldest of their two sons.

Dave moved around a lot during his childhood living in different parts of California, Washington, Colorado, and Wyoming. If you asked Dave where he was from, you likely needed to pull up a chair while he meticulously recited the many places and large number of different schools he attended. These frequent relocations shaped Dave’s affable personality and fostered his good nature. When asked how he was doing, Dave typically responded with “never ever better”. His indefatigable optimism coupled with determination and persistent hard work served him well throughout his life and inspired those around him, chief among them his children. Dave made a friend wherever he went. He genuinely enjoyed people and offered help to anyone in need and expected nothing in return. Dave was unpretentious, self-deprecating, and kind. His personal integrity mattered most. He was trusted and loved for all these reasons.

Dave attended the University of Utah on a Navy ROTC scholarship and graduated with a degree in civil engineering and later a Master of Business Administration. During college, Dave’s part-time job at the campus bowling alley was an unlikely backdrop for romance, but it was there he met the league’s secretary Linda Adkins. Linda feigned mathematical ignorance and requested Dave’s help calculating league averages. Unable to resist a beautiful woman and a good math problem, Dave agreed. Linda and Dave were married on June 18, 1969, in the LDS student chapel at the University of Utah and were sealed in the LDS Washington DC Temple in 2018. While on active duty, Dave served on the USS Cubera, in Key West, Florida. Dave built a 35-year distinguished career at Union Pacific Railroad where he enjoyed congenial friendships with his colleagues that continued after retirement at his much beloved retirees’ breakfasts.

Dave frequently said that marrying Linda was the best and most important decision he ever made. It is impossible to speak of Dave without mentioning Linda. Married for over 50 years, they were true partners in life. Dave and Linda were blessed with three children: David Jr., Jackie, and Kim. Dave always made sure to never end a phone conversation or email (generally a “forward”) without saying “I love you, and I am proud of you.” Dave moved his children into and out of many college apartments and first/second/third homes gleefully maneuvering boxes like Tetris pieces inside smelly, rented U-Haul trucks. He would do anything for his children and eventually his grandchildren including, in one demonstrative instance, driving 500 miles in one day to retrieve and then overnight express mail the beloved blankie of his granddaughter that her parents forgot to pack for vacation. There was no distance too great and no price too high for Dave (and Linda) to bear for their children and grandchildren.

Dave is survived by his children and their loving spouses, David & Nicki Griffin; Jackie & David Fredericks; and Kim & Josh Carter. Dave is survived by his grandchildren Henry, Cora, Georgia, Kaitlyn, Samantha, Katie, and Grant. Dave is also survived by his brother, John (Kathy) Griffin.

A private family graveside service will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at the Coalville City Cemetery. If you have a good story or photos of David and Linda and wish to share them with his family, please send them to his daughter, Kim, at kimcarter7146@yahoo.com. Flowers may be sent to Walker Mortuary (45 West 200 North) in Morgan, Utah or donations made in his honor to the Alzheimer’s Association.