Otis Charles Griffith

On the bright and sunny morning of September 1, 2024, Otis Charles Griffith (age 77) of Moorcroft, Wyoming was welcomed into the arms of Jesus with his devoted wife, Linda, of nearly 56 years at his side.

The oldest of three children, he was born to Lyle and Juanita (Deeder) Griffith in Gillette, Wyoming. Otis grew up on the family ranch with his two sisters, Carol (Dewey) and Sandy (Wilder).

He loved playing mechanic on old cars, fishing and riding horses. He could always find mischief to get into with his friends.

He graduated from Moorcroft High School in 1965 and later that fall attended a Denver automotive trade school and countless other training programs throughout his career. He later trained high school students to become mechanics through the COE program.

Otis married the love of his life, Linda Kay (Holmes), in 1969 and they started a family right away, having three adorable, yet spirited, children. He loved to dance and even took ballroom dancing classes with his wife and friends. Otis could be romantic and occasionally would ask Linda to dance in the living room.

In the early days of their marriage, they attended many rodeos and dances and made great memories with friends and family. His love for the Lord was deep and quiet, with the exception of church where he loved to dance and clap up and down the aisles, always just a little off-beat.

He was always a hard worker and could fix just about anything. He once had a "truck of many colors." He assembled doors, a hood and tailgate from other trucks of all different colors much like the Johnny Cash song, "One Piece at a Time." It was a sight to behold!

Otis was one of the most generous individuals you would ever meet. He owned a repair shop in the 80s and would often find people who had broken down on the side of the road and tow them home, offer to fix their vehicle and let them stay in our house (yikes!)

This led to meeting some really interesting, and sometimes sketchy, but always wonderful people. He taught us all to be kind and giving.

Otis was a very talented mechanic and over the course of his career. He worked on everything from passenger vehicles to heavy equipment, haul trucks and drills. He would later be known as "The Drill Doctor."

He had a passion for hunting, snowmobiling, music, laughing and photography. If there was a camera around, Otis had a twinkle in his eye. Taking pictures of his family and getting his picture taken always made him smile.

He spent countless hours organizing and listening to his western music. He loved to hunt with his Remington 700 .25-06 and gutting a deer with an Old Timer three-blade knife. He never carried or used a hunting knife.

Otis loved to snowmobile with his family and friends and could sometimes get a bit adventurous, occasionally losing his child off his arms sending him sliding through the snow. He always looked forward to taking his family to Evans Plunge where they made many good memories.

Later in life, he was blessed with many grandchildren who remember him fondly. Sometimes, to keep them entertained, he would give them 2x4s and let them pound nails into them or a piece of plywood and have them remove all the nails.

Of course, Papa had so many hammers they each had one to use. He would then take them out for a burger or four-wheeler riding. Most of all, he enjoyed teaching his passion for hunting to all his grandkids.

Otis never met a stranger and seemed to know the ancestry of every family in Crook County and somehow always became part of the conversation. Otis, though not a perfect man, always loved his family fiercely. He will be missed greatly and remembered fondly by all who knew him.

Otis was preceded in death by his parents, Lyle and Juanita, sister Carol, child Terry Lynn, father-in-law Clinton Holmes, grandparents, aunts and uncles.

Otis is survived by his wife Linda; his sons Mark (Lisa) Griffith, John (Heather) Griffith; daughter Eliza (Justin) Biesheuvel; sister Sandy (Pat) Wilder; ten grandchildren, Brittany (Trevor) Johnson, Austin Griffith, Jordan (Jonathan) Bergeron, Alexis Griffith, Banning Griffith, Michael Daniels, Kevin Hamelton, Tommy Mason, Lori Daniels and Madison Allin; six great grandchildren, Lincoln, Reese, Evelyn (Johnson) Patton, Clara (Bergeron), Kye (Poche); and countless other nieces and nephews, family, and friends.

Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.kinkadefunerals.com.