Loren Griffith passed into eternal life on May 28, 2026, at 4:20 a.m. at the age of 97. A Celebration of Life service will be held for him at Colonial Church in Prairie Village, Kansas, on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 10:30 a.m., followed by a reception at the church.

Loren was born on January 24, 1929, in Fairfield, Illinois, to William and Irene Griffith. He had two brothers, James and Robert, and two sisters, Geneva and Marilyn, who preceded him in death.

Loren graduated from Cincinnati Christian University, where he met his wife, Janice “Jan” Korns, and they were married on September 26, 1954. Sadly, she died on June 13, 2016, after a very happy marriage of 62 years. They were proud parents of three sons, Timothy, Stephen, and Jeffrey.

Loren graduated with a Master’s degree in social work from Ohio State University in Columbus in 1961. He had a very successful and satisfying career in social work. He provided services for veterans and their families for nearly 20 years in four Veteran Administration Medical Centers. These included Cleveland, Ohio; Roanoke, Virginia; Birmingham, Alabama; and Kansas City. He was Director of Social Work at Truman Medical Center: Lakewood (now University Health Lakewood Medical Center) and Saint Luke’s Health System, both in Kansas City. Loren was an active member of the MO-KAN Chapter of the Society for Social Work Leadership in Health Care and served in various leadership roles with this organization for many years. He received a “Social Work Leader of the Year” award in 2005.

His faith and service to others were an important part of Loren’s life. He and Jan were active members of churches in each city in which they lived. They were members of the Colonial Church in Prairie Village for over 25 years and served in various leadership roles and service projects with the church. They cherished their many friends at the church. Loren liked to travel and was able to visit almost every state throughout the country with Jan. They always looked forward to spending time each summer at lake cottages in Michigan belonging to Jan’s sister, Nancy, their nieces, and their son and wife, Jeff and Emme. Before his death, Loren lived at Welstone senior living in Mission, Kansas. He was an active participant in their fitness programs and social activities and enjoyed the many friendships with other residents.

Loren was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers and sisters; his wife, Jan; and his son, Timothy. He is survived by his son, Stephen, and his partner, Gerson, of Sao Paulo, Brazil; his son, Jeffrey, and his wife, Emme, in Leawood, Kansas; his granddaughter, Carly Leitnaker, and her husband, Evan, of Cadillac, Michigan; sisters-in-law, Carolyn and Jean Griffith of Fairfield, Illinois and several nieces and nephews in Illinois and in Michigan.

The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to Colonial Church.