03/21/2017

Obituary for Clair Griggs

OFDA member and co-founder of Courtesy Ambulance

Funeral services for Clair Griggs, 90, of Newark, will be held at the REED-EGAN FUNERAL HOME, 141 Green Wave Drive, Newark, 1:00 P.M., Wednesday, March 22, 2017 with Rev. Andy McClung as celebrant. Interment will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery with military honors provided by the Licking County Veterans Alliance.

Clair, co-founder of Courtesy Ambulance, died at his home on Friday, March 17, 2017. He was born in Lorain, Ohio on August 18, 1926 to the late Thomas C. and Mabel B. (Gracie) Griggs.

It became evident at an early age that Clair held a great passion for EMS, as he was often seen following his hometown fire trucks and ambulances on his bicycle, which he had also outfitted with a siren. At age 14, Clair began working with the local funeral home, washing cars and helping out with calling hours. During WWII, Clair was called into military service with the United States Army, and was stationed in Germany where he served with the military police during the Nuremberg trials. Upon his return home, Clair received his high school diploma and completed studies at Cleveland Mortuary College, becoming a licensed funeral director in 1954.

Clair moved with his family to California and began working at the Norton Air Force Base, while continuing to work part time in funeral service. When this base closed, Clair took the opportunity to move back home to Ohio and was transferred to the Newark Air Force Base.

In 1971, Clair and his wife, Lois, created Courtesy Ambulance and Courtesy funeral livery. The importance of serving the community, and helping others became the focus for this family owned and operated business. Together with their children, Gordon and Eileen, Clair and Lois were able to provide assistance and care for others and create the foundation upon which Courtesy Ambulance was built, “Our family serving yours.”

Over the years, Clair never missed the opportunity to further educate himself on the changing industry, and never lost his enthusiasm to help and serve others. He frequently would travel to programs and meetings, always anxious to learn something new, and especially enjoyed all of the seminars at Grant Life Lock.

He was a charter member of the National Registry of EMT and the only member with over 40 years of service. Clair was also a member of the American Ambulance Association, Ohio Ambulance and Medical Transportation Association, Ohio Disaster Services, and the Ohio Funeral Directors Association which recognized him for holding his funeral director license for over 50 years.

Within the local community, Clair was a longtime parishioner of First United Methodist Church where he was also past president of the Wesley Club. He volunteered with several Cub and Boy Scout troops and was involved with the Licking County Aging Program Board. In his later years, Clair greatly enjoyed taking the opportunity to travel with The Park National bank Freedom Years, where he and his wife made many friends.

Clair was a genuinely kind man. His sincerity and compassion for others were qualities upon which he exhibited daily and throughout his life. He will be greatly missed by his wife of 63 years, Lois Jane (Ballog) Griggs; his son, Gordon (Suzanne) Griggs; his daughter, Eileen Dudgeon; his four grandchildren, Roland, Marianna, and Brant Griggs, and Amanda Dudgeon and her father, Sherman Dudgeon Jr.; his brother, Alan (Gloria) Griggs; and several nieces and nephews.

Friends and family may call at the funeral home from 5-8 P.M., Tuesday, March 21, 2017, and from 11-1 P.M., Wednesday, March 22, 2017, prior to the funeral service.

The family request memorials in Clair’s name be made to First United Methodist Church, 88 North 5th Street, Newark, Ohio 43055.

To share your memory of Clair or leave a condolence for the family, please visit www.reedegan.com.