Honoring Lester Griffin: Memorial Service Support

Hello. My name is Leslie Griffin-Jones and this is my Dad, Lester Griffin. My Dad passed away on 3/14/2025, and I've been rather lost ever since. Not only am I an only child, but my Dad just came back into my life about 4 years ago! I'm 56! Let him tell it, he wasn't a very nice person, spending a lot of his life in prison or on drugs.

Almost 4 years ago, he reached out to my Mom in Chicago (yes, he knew where we were and how to reach us for quite some time), wondering if I would be receptive to him. From what he has told me, he was ashamed and felt unworthy of us.

Long story short, we did develop a relationship. I went to visit him a few times in St. Louis, where he has lived for the past 20-25 years. He had become a valuable member of the community, sharing his "story of an OG" with whomever would listen. My Dad cherished his sobriety and recently received his 30-year drug-free coin. He was so proud. And I was proud of him.

The past year has been so rough. He went from St. Louis to Chicago, trying to be closer to us, meanwhile having knee replacement surgery when he got here. It went totally wrong! He wouldn't fully commit to the required rehabilitation. Surgery was on the right knee, but suddenly he couldn't move either leg, which left him in a wheelchair.

He then decided to go to Mississippi, where his siblings could better care for him. Maybe be more attentive. THEY WERE STRANGERS TOO! He had been away from them for so long that they really didn't know each other. That didn't work out, so he was back to St. Louis.

He spent this past Thanksgiving in a St. Louis nursing home alone. I would plan to visit, but he wanted me to wait until he got further along in his rehabilitation. When we spoke, he was always hoping to get picked up to go to a "meeting." Again, he was serious about his sobriety.

I can't figure out how he went from wanting to spend every waking moment with me, my Mom, his grandkids, and great-grandkids to not being here at all.

My Dad had basically no insurance. I haven't been able to get in touch with hardly any of his friends, and I am trying to plan a Memorial Service in St. Louis. From what I believe, my Dad helped a lot of people in their recovery from drugs and alcohol. 30 years' worth! I think he deserves his flowers.