Wesley “Justin” Griggs – businessman and preacher

Wesley “Justin” Griggs went to be with the Lord on May 31, 2003
at the age of 92. Justin was born on October 22, 1910 in Healdsburg
to Justin and Viola Griggs. He graduated from Santa Rosa High
School. Later he graduated from Glad Tidings Bible Institute, San
Francisco in 1937. Aileen Robison became his wife in 1933 and
together they started five churches, and pastored nine churches
between Texas and California. In 1948 Justin answered the call to
Brazil to be a missionary. Aileen, the two boys and their baby girl
joined him in this memorable adventure. His fire and passion in
life was preaching and teaching God’s Word. The other work Justin
did was that of a butcher with his brother Burnett in Napa. The
family is famous for cutting and selling Christmas trees in the
Santa Rosa area for many years. He also owned and operated a
produce market in Santa Rosa; he designed and built two mobile home
parks, one in Santa Rosa and the other in Eureka. He had a shrimp
boat in Texas and a tuna boat harbored in Petaluma. In the late
1970’s Justin manufactured commercial crab pots for the local
fishermen. At the same time he taught his oldest son to make crab
pots, which he is still doing. Justin is survived by his wife of 21
years Betty J. Griggs of Eureka; two sons, Harvey Griggs and his
wife Elona of Eureka, Wesley Richard Griggs of Descanso, two
daughters, Dolores Hansen and her husband William of Santa Rosa and
Patty Voltenbergs and her husband Mark of Eureka; his brother,
Daniel Griggs and his wife Betty of Santa Rosa and his sisters
Florence Slyker and her husband Bill, and Wilma McAdams of Santa
Rosa; 15 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, numerous nieces
and nephews. Justin was preceded by his first wife Aileen Griggs,
his parents Justin and Viola Griggs, sisters, Ora Hansen, and Ester
Griggs and his brothers Harvey, and Burnett Griggs. Justin’s
question to everyone, even strangers, was “where are you going to
spend eternity?” Lost souls were his main concern. Friends attended
funeral services on Saturday, June 7, 2003 at the First Assembly of
God Church in Eureka. A reception followed at the church after the
service.