Patrick Griffin

On Tuesday, July 07th, 2026, our beloved Patrick Griffin departed this world to enter into Eternal Life with His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. A Celebration of Life will occur on Tuesday, August 11th at 10:00 am at Seventh Street Church of God, located at 2005 Seventh Street, Columbus, Indiana 47201.

We first wish to thank the entire staff that was and is involved in keeping Community Hospital a caring place for patients and family. From the three EMT's who on Saturday, June 27th tenderly transported Patrick to the hospital, making him smile because they recognized and complimented his garden, to the crucial, personalized bedside care daily until his departure, thank you so very much.

To Pat's Oncologist, the amazing and beautiful, Dr. Shiroo Parshad who first diagnosed Pat with Neuroendocrine cancer in 2020 and to Dr. Jon Cardinal, Pat's Hepatobiliary Surgeon who along with Dr. George Rubeiz performed miracle life saving surgery once and then twice, who knew one could survive without a pancreas and spleen? There were others, in particular Dr. Donato Ciaccia was relentless in finding answers and played a critical role in Pat's six-year survival.

In May of 1952 Patrick was born to Carl and Lavena Griffin,and had from an early age an incredible work ethic instilled into him. Some might inquire, was Patrick born with a paintbrush in his hand, aye, no, but by age 3 he was drawing and doing sketches and asking for sketching paper and books, winning his first art award in kindergarten.

Although Pat was an only child, he developed a lifelong friendship with Kathy Zarro Frederick, they became like blood brother and blood sister. They attended Southport High School together and were involved in some real shenanigans, which many of you are aware of!

Kathy was fortunate to have the last meaningful conversation with Pat where he told his sister he was ready to go home. This world was not his home anymore, he said to Kathy, wanting to share just one more adventure. "Let's go be with Jesus." Kathy laughed and said hold on, not yet, but at that point Pattrick had his GPS sent for Heaven. Pat's other close childhood friend was Wes Price, they shared life and laughs until Wes's homegoing, it seemed like when Wes departed, he took a piece of Pat with him.

Pat graduated from Southport High School in 1970, he went on to attend John Herron School of Art for a year but ended up transferring to Evangel College in Springfield, Missouri.

At Evangel, while sitting under the teachings of Dr. Robert Cooley, an Archaeologists was born. Pat accompanied Dr. Cooley on a dig to Israel where he had the time of his life, but became deathly sick from the water. Thankfully, he survived and returned to the United States. He worked construction part-time and continued his studies. One fateful rainy evening, Pat wrecked his motorcycle and wandered into a dorm where he met Janet Hastings, who became his bride in August of 1973. Two beautiful daughters came from this marriage, Tiffany and Katie.

In 1974, Pat was hired by Indiana Bell Telephone Yellow Pages Art Department. By 1975, Pat began professional freelancing for the likes of Coopers and Lybrand, AMAX Coal, Indianapolis Magazine, Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, American Legion, Association of Insurance Agents, Toledo Blade, Indy Arms, and many more. His portfolio also includes illustrating books for Human Kinetics and floats for the Indianapolis 500 Festival Parade.

In 1984, Indiana Bell was officially broken up as part of the massive, judicially ordered break up of the original AT&T which forever changed the footprint of his life. He refused their offer to move to Detroit with what was left of the company and did whatever it took to provide for his family. Those jobs included selling automobiles for Ray Skillman Automotive, where they stack em deep, and sell em cheap. He also managed a Cement Silo before their doors were shuttered. He ended up as a Federal Officer for the TSA at Indianapolis International Airport where we believe the constant exposure to excessive radiation may have been a contributing factor to the cancer he was later diagnosed with.

Pat is survived by his wife, Donna, his mother, Lavena Griffin, daughters Tiffany Harlow (Jason) and Katie Conner (Robert), three adult grandchildren, Priscilla Falcoa, Addison Falcao Anabella Paniagua and great grandson Walker Koda May Colon. In addition, his aunt, Ruthanne (Ronnie) Sparks, who saved lil Pat's life a number of times because he was so mischievous, and a long list of amazing, loving cousins survive Patrick too.

When you think of Patrick Griffin, Artist-Extraordinaire, lover of aviation, military history, firearms, art, and much, much more, we hope you smile and in lieu of flowers please contribute your time or your funds to a charity of your choice, by O, and fire off a round for the Irishman who is finally at home and at peace.