Rodney Lee Griddine

Rodney Lee Griddine, age 61, a longtime Altus, Oklahoma resident and formerly of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away Friday, September 11, 2020 at Integris at Portland Medical Center in Oklahoma City. Rodney was born in Kansas City, Missouri on March 22, 1959 to his parents William Henry Griddine and Mildred (Davis) Griddine. He was raised in Kansas City where he graduated High School Class of 1977. On November 24, 1978 Rodney enlisted into the United States Air Force. His basic airmen training was at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas and he received advanced training as a food service technician at Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, Mississippi and was assigned to his first permanent duty station at Aviano NATO base in Italy. After serving overseas, Rodney was transferred to Castle Air Force Base in Atwater, California. During his duty at Castle Air Force Base he met the love of his life, Yollanda Murphy and they were united in marriage on October 5, 1984. As an Air Force family, they were next stationed at Fairchild Airforce in Washington state and then to Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada. While in Las Vegas, Rodney was honored to work security at a Mike Tyson fight. Rodney was a talented musician and he excelled at lead and solo guitar and in 1992 he won first place for a worldwide completion that he went on tour with. Rodney next served an overseas hardship tour of duty at Misawa Air Force Base, Japan. When he returned home, the family landed at Altus Air Force Base, Altus, Oklahoma in 1996 where Rodney served his last tour of duty before retiring on December 31, 2002 with over 24 years of honorable service attaining the rank of Master Sergeant. Rodney received the Air Force Commendation Medal; multiple Air Force Achievement Medals; the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; as well as numerous other awards and time-honored decorations. Rodney's caring service to his community did not end after his Air Force career. He worked for the Texas Youth Commission for about a year before serving for the Oklahoma Department of Corrections as a Food Service Manager and in 2016 and most recently served as a case manager for the Department of Corrections at the Granite Reformatory. Rodney was a longtime member of St. John the Baptist Church in Altus where he enjoyed playing his guitar and he catered food for the Marriage Enrichment group and other events such as children's activities and breakfast events. He also played his guitar with the church choir, the Western Oklahoma State College Jazz Band, and for Candy Cash events throughout the years. Rodney took great pride being involved with Black History month at Altus Air Force Base. Rodney served his country and community and he took great care of his family. Rodney loved spending time with his family, fishing, his dog Oscar, he was a loyal Kansas City Chief's fan and he loved watching boxing, eating ice cream, and Rodney especially loved anytime spent with all his grandchildren and he will be missed very much. Left to honor Rodney's legacy is his wife of over 35 years, Yollanda Griddine of their home in Altus, Oklahoma; his mother, Mildred Davis Griddine of Kansas City, Missouri; his two children, Rodney Lee Griddine, II and wife Mollie of Charlottesville, Virginia; and Ronicia LeNae' Griddine of Junction City, Kansas; four sisters, Debra Griddine of Kansas City, Missouri; Teresa Griddine Fredieu and husband Donald of Humble, Texas; LaFrance Griddine Clark of Orlando, Florida; and Michelle Griddine of Kansas City, Missouri; one brother, Craig Griddine and wife Angela of Kansas City, Missouri; four grandchildren, Rodney Lee Griddine, III, LeAnn Rose Griddine, Maliya Edwards, and Demari Edwards; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, many other family members and friends. Family members preceding Rodney in death are his father, William Henry Griddine; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Thurman John Murphy, Sr., and Dorothy Lee Wise Murphy; and brother-in-law, Thurman John Murphy, Jr. The family will greet friends at Visitation from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Thursday evening, September 24, 2020 at Lowell-Tims Funeral Home in Altus, Oklahoma. Funeral services will be at 1:00 pm on Friday, September 25, 2020 at the Lowell-Tims Funeral Home Chapel in Altus, Oklahoma with Oklahoma Department of Corrections Honors. There will also be family visitation hours on Sunday, September 27, 2020 from 3:00 pm until 5:00 pm at the Watkins Heritage Funeral Chapel, 4000 Emanuel Cleaver II Boulevard in Kansas City, Missouri, 64130. Military Burial Ceremonies will be at 1:00 pm on Monday, September 28, 2020 at the Higginsville Veterans Cemetery, 20109 Business Highway 13, Higginsville, Missouri, 64037. Military Honors will be rendered by the United States Air Force. Arrangements are under the direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral Home and Crematory, Altus, Oklahoma. To sign the online guest book and share memories with the family please visit www.Lowell-Tims.com