John Griffin

John Griffin, 72, died on April 8, 2025, at his home, surrounded by family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 12:30PM, Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, 520 Raymond St, Bismarck. A livestream of the service will be at Mass Livestream | Cathedral of the Holy Spirit | Bismarck, ND

Visitation will be from 5:00 - 7:00 PM, Monday, April 14, 2025 at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck. A rosary/vigil will begin at 7:00 PM.

Burial will be at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan.

John was born to Raymond and Jeanette Griffin on December 19, 1952 in Utah. In April 1953, the family moved back to Wyndmere, ND, Raymond’s hometown. John was raised on a farm along with four brothers and three sisters. He attended a country school for his first four years of education before continuing in Wyndmere, where he graduated high school in 1970.

He began studying Agricultural Engineering at North Dakota State University but left after less than two years and volunteered for the draft, joining the Army in March 1972. John went to basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Gordon, Georgia, where he was trained as a Military Police and Correctional Specialist. He was stationed overseas in Okinawa in September 1972, working in an Army stockade until his honorable discharge in December 1973.

John then attended UND for four years, graduating in December 1977 with a B.S. degree in Geological Engineering. His career started with Schlumberger Oilfield Services in Kansas for a couple of years as a field engineer, testing newly drilled oil wells. He then joined the Amerada Hess Oil Company in west Texas as a petroleum engineer for a short time before being transferred to southwest ND, where he worked as a petroleum engineer and superintendent for 30 years until his retirement in 2012.

In 1983, John married Shari Selinger. Together they raised two daughters, Annie and Julie, in South Heart. After retirement, John and Shari moved to Bismarck, ND, where John stayed active in his church, the Knights of Columbus, and the American Legion, especially enjoying his volunteer work for the Open Your Heart campaign.

John was the hardest worker anyone could meet, but worked harder at being a loving father and husband. In South Heart, John enjoyed hunting, golfing, and watching the Green Bay Packers. He was a dedicated athlete, participating in triathlons, bike races, basketball, and running. John was a humble leader in everything he accomplished, all possible with the love and care of his loving wife, Shari.

John faced many health challenges throughout his life, but met them with courage and hope. After a major stroke in 2012, he was called a “miracle” by many doctors and didn’t let his deficits stop him from building a life fueled by generosity and being with his family and friends. In Bismarck, he enjoyed the pistol and rifle ranges, his coffee buddies, volunteering in the community, and helping everyone he could. John was known for being a generous tipper anywhere he went. This generous heart was greatly shown toward his daughters. He was always offering to help with mowing the lawn, oil changes, building workbenches, letting dogs out, and helping build anything and everything they asked.

He enjoyed quiet morning coffee with his wife and loud afternoons with his three grandchildren, telling them “Papa loves you” over and over again. He expressed his love in his actions and his words, always ending a text or a call reminding his family how much he loved them. In his final health struggle, a brief, but hard-fought battle with ALS, he appreciated everyone who helped him, especially his devoted family nurses, Jody Maddock and Missy Hanson.

John is survived by his beloved wife of 41 years, Shari, and daughters and grandchildren, Annie (Rich) Nagel and their son Asher; Julie (Randy) Sandvig and their children, Bennett and Ava. He is also survived by his siblings, Karen Griffin, Bob Griffin, Dan (Kathy-deceased) Griffin, Paul (Julene) Griffin, Lowie (Lynn Iverson) Griffin, Mike (Lucy Brown) Griffin, Marge Griffin; sisters-in-law Cindy (Keith) Hanson and Missy (Lee) Hanson, brothers-in-law Bruce (Brenda) Selinger and Dave (Cindy) Selinger; along with many nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Jeanette Griffin and parents-in-law, Richard and Lorraine Selinger.