ST. JOSEPH — Raymond Jackson Griffet passed away Thursday, July 25, 2024, at home in St. Joseph.
His family and many friends called him Jack. To most others, he was Ray.
Jack was born May 13, 1934, in Champaign. His parents were Ira Griffet and Helen (Bogue) Griffet. He attended Gregory and Columbia schools and Champaign High School, graduating in 1953. His first jobs were as a shoe salesman at Sholem’s Shoes and at Montgomery Ward in Urbana. He entered the U.S. Air Force in 1954 and trained in electronics. He was stationed in Korea for a year in 1956 and later at Foster AFB in Victoria, Texas. After leaving the Air Force, he attended DeVry Technical Institute in Chicago. He then worked as a radio engineer at WILL and later at TV Channel 15 in Champaign. This was followed by employment at Manny and Martin TV Sales and Repair. In 1971, Jack and two partners, Wayne Byers and John Felt, formed their own TV sales and repair business, Television Associates/ Old Town Storage in Champaign. They retired in 2000 and closed the business.
Jack and Carol Knott of Champaign began dating at age 16. They were married on Feb. 16, 1957. They became the parents of Keith Griffet and Alison Griffet.
Surviving are his wife, Carol of St. Joseph; son, Keith of Champaign; daughter, Alison of Hurst, Texas; and stepgranddaughter, Betty Stanciuc of St. Joseph.
Jack was the youngest of the 10 children of Ira and Helen Griffet.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Otis, Herb, Bud, Ed and Russell; and sisters, Bea, Maxine, Lillian and Lois.
Watching old western movies on TV was one of his favorite pastimes, especially any movie with Gene Autry, his childhood hero. He never wanted to miss “Wheel of Fortune” and “Family Feud.” He was an avid Illinois basketball and football fan. He and Alison, Daddy’s girl, shared by telephone a strong interest in Illinois basketball and football, as well as the Dallas Cowboys. He had a wry sense of humor that kept us entertained.
He loved animals. Through the years, he rescued several dogs and cats and made them part of the family. Whenever he saw a wild animal or someone’s pet, he worried whether that animal needed water. An example: He placed a pan of water in our backyard for the snake that lived there. Our family will laugh forever about that.
Our Jack was a kind, sweet and loving father and husband. He gave us a good life. He did his part to help make the world a better place. We miss him so much.
There will be no service. Evergreen Cremation Services assisted the family.
NG 8/27/2024
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