Leon Griffith known to family and friends as “Lee” passed away on April 19, 2026 in Forsyth, Missouri.
Leon Griffith known to family and friends as “Lee” passed away on April 19, 2026 in Forsyth, Missouri. Lee was born November 1, 1942 in Westville, Oklahoma and raised by his parents Newton and Nellie (Perkins) Oxford. Lee spent his school days growing up in Westville and upon graduating from Westville he began working in various professions and vocations with the support of his late wife Patricia to which he had celebrated forty eight years together before her passing.
Lee’s dedication and creativity lead him to various professions and trades. His first calling began in the service department for Sears where his dedication would lift him to the department manager for the service center. His talents would include wood working where many of his hand crafted works were collected by visitors of Ozark Country Creations. Lee was also known for an entrepreneurial spirit, that became brick and mortar when he established an ice cream shop on the corner of a commercial business block in Forsyth known as Nana’s Ice Cream Parlor. Later in life Lee invested himself into a selfless role by becoming a law enforcement civil servant led by completing courses at the police academy through Drury College, then taking a position as a Sheriffs Deputy for Taney County for twenty four years before stepping into his role as an Independent Process Server for the Taney County Court System. Lee will be remembered for his many years of service, hard work, and sense of duty.
Lee leaves his legacy of persistence, hard work, and devotion to his daughters Tammy and husband Bill Hagler, Kim and husband Terry Schade; grandchildren Nicholas Ingenthron and wife Liana, Jeremy Hagler and wife Amber, Jake Herd, Jonathan Herd and wife Allison, Jessica Gervais and husband Thomas, Samantha Schade, Catelynn Schade; seven great grandchildren; and brother in law Garren Lumpkin Jr., along with his beloved fur buddies Sadie and Tootsie. He will be missed by many friends and colleagues that had the opportunity to share a frequent hello and a warm handshake with Lee.
Services for Lee will take place April 26, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. in the Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home and Crematory in Branson with burial to follow in Ozarks Memorial Park Cemetery, Branson. Memorial donations are encouraged to the Taney
County Animal Control Office or one of the donor’s choice. Arrangements are under the direction of Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home and Crematory, Branson.
