Life Story

Dr. Dennis Donald Griffin, 81, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in Lehi, Utah. He truly "walked a beautiful life" filled with his great passions: his beloved wife, Anne, and the family they raised together, music, and many creative and intellectual pursuits. He lived in Utah his whole life, in Ogden, then Logan, and most recently, Lehi.

Early Life & Education

Dennis was born on September 6, 1943, to Donald and Madge Griffin in Ogden. He was the oldest of six children. He grew up in Ogden near the foothills, where he spent many hours exploring the trails and mountains in his backyard. A hallmark of Dennis's life was his amazingly inquisitive and creative mind. Dennis loved to read and immerse himself in new topics even when he was young.

Dennis was a musical prodigy from the beginning. He began music lessons when he was 8 years old. He listened to classical music for hours on the radio as a child. He received his bachelor's degree and then his master's degree in Music from Utah State University in 1969, and his doctorate in Music from Brigham Young University in 1984.

A Distinguished Musical Career

He taught junior high band and orchestra for five years before returning to Utah State University as a professor, where he taught for 36 years in the Music Department. His classes included percussion, composition, and a pioneering course in electronic music. He served as Director of Bands and was at the helm of the Aggie marching band for more than 14 years. More recently, he was the timpanist for the Orchestra at Temple Square and played in that role for over a decade.

Dennis was a devoted mentor to hundreds of young musicians, including his own children and grandchildren, and taught students until the very end of his life. Many of his students now have careers in music as professional teachers and renowned performers and composers. Dennis himself was a gifted composer and music arranger, having composed dozens of pieces for percussion and orchestra.

A Love Story for the Ages

Though Dennis had many accolades and accomplishments as a student at Utah State, he would say the very best thing to come out of his college years was the epic and rare love story with Anne that spanned more than 58 years of marriage. The story began when their eyes met across the room in the university band, with Anne in the flute section and Dennis in the percussion section. That look led to marriage in the Salt Lake Temple on August 25, 1966, and walking side-by-side through all the highs and lows involved in raising seven daughters and one son. Together, they truly exemplified the Griffin family theme of "Walk a Beautiful Life," showing all of their progeny what true love looks like. Dennis simply adored Anne.

Faith & Service

Dennis was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and deeply loved our Savior Jesus Christ, and this love showed in everything he did. He served many people throughout his life in many different capacities. As a young man, he served a mission to Paris, France, where he became fluent in French and also developed a deep love for France and its people. Later, he served as Scoutmaster and Bishop in the Logan 7th Ward. Toward the end of his life, he fulfilled a dream of returning to France as a senior missionary with Anne. It was on this mission that he and Anne met Xinchen ("Andy") Zeng, who has joined the Griffin family as an unofficially adopted grandson.

A Renaissance Man

Dennis's immense intellectual curiosity led him to develop expertise in numerous hobbies, talents, and interests, such as photography and framing, fly-fishing, camping, drawing, cooking, sourdough breadmaking, woodcarving, gardening, astronomy, writing, and storytelling. The fruits of these hobbies were used to bless his family, friends and neighbors, as one often left his house with a loaf of homemade bread and fresh vegetables. Dennis's family loved his stories, lessons, and meaningful handmade gifts, as well as his witty and clever sense of humor. Dennis, Anne, and family loved spending time at Bear Lake in the summer and had a cabin there for many years.

Legacy & Family

Dennis is survived by the love of his life, Anne. He is also survived by his eight children, Barbara (Chris) of Hyde Park, Edward (Amy) of Draper, Michelle (Rob) of St. George, Jill (John) of Highland, Debra (Tyler) of Highland, Nicole (Jamie) of Salt Lake City, Melissa (Luke) of South Jordan, and Natalie of Draper. He is an adored grandpa to 31 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren (with three more on the way). He was preceded in death by his beloved parents and his brother Bruce.