Jeffrey Alyn “8 Ball” Griggs, 61, of Sweet Springs, MO, died Sunday, May 21, 2023, at Harry S Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital in Columbia.
He was born August 16, 1961, in St. Louis, MO, to Joseph Michael Griggs and Kathleen L. (Schmitz) Griggs. He went to various schools in St. Louis, graduating from vocational Magnet School in 1980. Upon graduating he enlisted in the United States Marines Corps serving at Camp Lejeune for four years. Upon leaving the Marines, he joined the Missouri Army National Guard serving as staff sergeant until 2005.
Jeffrey moved to Sweet Springs and worked at Tysons, ConAgra, Stahl’s, Casey’s, as a handyman, and finally for Milbank until his death.
Jeff was married three times and has spent the last 18 years with his life partner Tammie Diodonet. His marriages brought him ten children and several grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.
Jeffrey is survived by his partner Tammie of the home; former wives, Lori Quick and Rachel Griggs; four sons, Reuben Stokes, Patrick Bibens, Timothy Griggs, and David Diodonet; four daughters, Mandi Lynn (Dhiraj) Kumar, Brandi Kay (Perry) Klingan, Cherry Randolph, and Nikki Crumbly; two siblings, Tina (Stephen) Bredehoeft and Andrew Griggs; grandchildren, Zack Silkwood, Deven and Neal Kumar, Mackenzie Vaughn, Shayla Clingan, Steven Crumbly, Bryson and Brealynn Diodent and Heaven Stokes and Katie Stokes; one great-granddaughter, River Silkwood; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Deborah Griggs; one son, Michael Lee Griggs; one daughter, Velva Jo Miller; one grandson, Jakob Vaughn; two brothers, Jerome Griggs and Joseph Griggs Jr.; and sister and brother-in-law, Kimberly and Gregory Eason.
Memorial services with military rites will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at Campbell-Lewis Chapel in Concordia, MO with Pastor Michael Pottschmidt and Pastor Andrew Lehenbauer officiating. Inurnment will be in Missouri State Veterans’ Cemetery in Higginsville at a later date. Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. May 31, 2023 at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society. Friends may sign the online register book at www.campbell-lewis.com.