Robert Kent Griffin (Rob), 49 of Belton passed away on Aug. 2, 2020, after a brave battle with Melanoma brain cancer.
Rob was raised in El Dorado, Ark. He called his family farm and animal rescue in Belton home.
Rob is survived by his wife, Kelly and their daughters, Hayley Karis and Paisley Kara Griffin. He is preceded in death by his brother, Shad Lee Miller.
A proud El Dorado High School class of 1989 graduate, Rob attended The University of Arkansas at Little Rock and then transferred to the University of Central Arkansas on a cheerleading scholarship where he graduated with a degree in accounting. He went on to earn two Master’s degrees in finance and administration.
Rob married the love of his life, Kelly, and began a career in auto finance with Chrysler Financial that transferred and promoted him from Conway, Ark., Memphis, Tenn., Kansas City, Rhode Island and back to the KC area to raise their family.
Rob began his career with Commerce Bank in 2007 and was the Vice President of Indirect Lending at the time of his death. He was very proud of his department, his team and their success under his management. The family is grateful for Commerce’s compassion and support through his cancer journey.
Rob was devoted to his daughters and was their biggest fan. He was at every event possible and was always supporting their dreams. He coached several of Hayley’s rec volleyball teams, assisted her on her side gig as a photographer, fixed up the barn so she could have her first horse and always encouraged her education.
Rob was always by Paisley’s side through every hospital stay. He drove her to Cincinnati to see the best doctors. He could be seen on the front row of almost every Special Olympic event, meeting or practice. He especially loved volunteering for Special Olympics and helping the athletes.
Rob and Kelly had a love story that was greater than any fairytale. They just celebrated 24 years of marriage in July. He led their beautiful family with faith, patience, grace and unselfish love. They found peace and tranquillity on their small farm and then began a non-profit animal rescue which was a dream of Kelly’s that Rob made into a reality.
Respected and well-liked by everyone who met him, Rob was always ready with quick wit and a smile. He was a diehard fan of the Arkansas Razorbacks, the Dallas Cowboys and the Atlanta Braves. He was served and dished out plenty of sports trash talk on a Sunday morning before church.
Rob lived by the Bible verse Micah 6:8 - Act Justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your Lord. Upon joining Rock Brook Church in 2006, Rob became more confident sharing his faith and being the hands and feet of God. He believed in God’s promises and his faith never wavered throughout his life. God used his life to draw people to Jesus and restore other’s faith.
A family vacation with the beach, the ocean, and a Jimmy Buffett song playing was his happy place. Rob recently said his life could be summed up in one line from a Jimmy Buffett song. “Some of it's magic, some of it's tragic but I’ve had a good life all the way.”
In lieu of flowers Rob has asked for donations to his favorite charities in his memory: Arms of Mercy, Inc, their family’s non-profit animal rescue at paypal.me/ArmsofMercy or Belton CARES, a non profit community organization that Rob was a part of that raises awareness of the dangers of sun exposure and Melanoma at Beltonmocares@gmail.com. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, at Rock Brook Church, 1715 E. 173rd St., Belton, MO 64012.
The family invites you to fellowship with Diet Cokes and pastries after the service.
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