ASHLAND — Charles Allan Griffith, 77, of Ashland, “Had a heart of Gold,” found himself looking full in the wonderful face of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019, at University Hospital in Cleveland following a massive heart attack surrounded by his family while initially being healthy and in remission from Leukemia. He wants you to know that there's no need to shed a tear because he’s in glorious Heaven!
He leaves his wife and love of his life of 29 years this month, Carol (Winland) Griffith; his daughters, Brasta Lialios and her husband Christopher Lialios of Galloway, Nichole Lang and her husband Michael Lang of Ashland. He leaves behind ten grandchildren, Lexus Lang, Jaden Lang, Nevaeh Lang, Maleah Lang, Evangeline Lang, Alexander Lialios, Braden Lialios, Isaac Lialios, Jace Lialios, and Elysia Lialios. He also leaves his sisters, Rosalie (Gerald) Brooks of Butler, Jean Shackle and Sharon Robinson of Mount Vernon; and brother, Carroll Griffith of Mount Vernon. He leaves his mother-in-law, Ila Winland; his sisters-in-law, Chris (Joe) Fannin, Juanita (Ed) Bowman, Roy “Jay” (Laura) Winland, and numerous other nieces, nephews, and extended family.
He was preceded in death by his father, Lenord Griffith; his mother, Opal Griffith; his sister, Betty White; his brother-in-law, John “JC” Carr; his brother-in-law, Dick Robinson, father-in-law, Roy Winland Sr.; his brother-in-law, Leland White; his brother-in-law, Don Shackle; and nephew, Dave Shackle. He will be greatly and sadly missed by his family and loved ones!
Charles Allan Griffith was born March 10,1942, in Knox County, the son of Lenard Paul Griffith and Opal Marie (Keck) Griffith. He graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1960. He also attended Ohio State University.
Later in his life, he met a beautiful young 18-year-old, Carol, known affectionately as “Rube,” scooped her up into his arms; and the rest is history! Then he married this lady, “his baby” Carol Rene Winland of Ashland on Aug. 27, 1990, in a quaint and private little chapel in Clintwood, Virginia. As she says to this day, “He was my first and only love of my life!”
For his primary profession, he worked at Donley Auto Group for more than thirty years as many different titles, including Fixed Operations Manager. His true love and passion, though, were announcing races at the race tracks on the weekends. For over thirty years, he worked at many of these race tracks, including: Wayne County Speedway, Hilltop Speedway, Lakeville Speedway, Sandusky Speedway, Lorain County Speedway, Eldora Speedway, West Virginia Motor Speedway, Mansfield Motor Sports Speedway, and many other tracks. He also had his own radio show for 13 years on WQKT, named by his “baby” Carol, called Thrills On Wheels. Furthermore, he did a TV show on racing called “Power and Speed.” He also announced many Memorial races at the Ashland County Fair.
In addition to these things, he enjoyed leading many fundraisers and benefits to help others, including St. Jude and United Way. Chuck was never a stranger to anyone and made friendships everywhere he went. He could make anyone break out into laughter and would do anything for anyone. He worked hard at everything he did! He loved to tinker with old cars and to restore them. He rebuilt and restored many old cars including his 1915 Ford “C” Cab and his 1923 Ford Roadster. He also took his daughter’s old Fisher Price Corvette and turned it into a minivan for the Ashland Fair parade. Chuck enjoyed playing golf, playing basketball, playing fast-pitch softball, making people happy, loved going on spontaneous trips and afternoon car drives. He loved spending time with his family and his babies (grandchildren). He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend.
Though he was involved in many activities; the most critical decision he made in his life was asking Jesus to be his Savior. The gospel is for everyone that believes! We all have sinned and deserve God’s judgement; but God in His love and mercy, sent His Son (Jesus) to die for us on the cross. Through repentance and complete faith in Jesus, we can have eternal life (Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 10:9).
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Aug. 17, at 12 p.m. in Calvary Baptist Church, 210 Davis Road, Ashland, with Reverend Harry Strachan officiating. Interment will follow in Ashland County Memorial Park. Friends may call Friday, Aug. 16, from 2-7 p.m. in the Calvary Baptist Church.
Memorial contributions may be offered to the family during this time, c/o Mrs. Carol Griffith, sent to the Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home, 313 Center Street, Ashland, Ohio 44805.
“For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16.
Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home & Crematory is handling the arrangements.
Trending
