Perry Griffith

Dr. Perry Ray Griffith, 81, of Huntington Beach, Calif., formerly of Callaway, Nebraska, passed away on February 25, 2025.

Perry was born on January 17, 1944, to Clark “Ted” Theodore and Sadie Joyce (Moore) Griffith in Callaway, Nebr. Perry intended to stay and help his dad on the farm after graduating from Callaway High school in 1962, but his parents strongly encouraged him to study for a year at University of Nebraska in Lincoln, and he was welcome to return home after that. 

Perry studied at UN for 2 years and married his high school love and FFA Sweetheart, Mary Lynn Bridges, on June 11, 1964 in Lincoln. They both continued their studies at Kansas State University in Manhattan, and graduated from KSU in 1970 while parenting two young kids, Clark Theodore II and Mary Joyce. Perry received a doctorate in Veterinary Medicine and Mary Lynn earned a bachelor’s in education and American Literature.

Perry’s first job was working for Dr. Joe Coyle in Broken Bow as a large animal vet while Mary Lynn taught school in town. The family moved to Huntington Beach in 1972, where Perry worked for Dr. Arlis Kline for a few years before taking over the small animal practice at Beach Blvd Pet Hospital.

Though Perry never did move back to the farm, the family visited Callaway often and his kids and their cousins spent the better part of most summers working as farm hands, kitchen helpers and classroom decorating assistants. Most autumns would find the family back home in time for the start of pheasant hunting season.

Perry was able to pursue his love for horses and rodeo for a few years in the 1980s when he took up team roping with partner Doug Fouty and his trusty horse Red. They competed in PRCA rodeo events around Southern California and Perry was happy to be in the saddle again. Much as he did as a parent, Perry made it his side job to attend as many events as possible when his grandkids were participating, easily transitioning from soccer, swim meets and water polo games to climbing competitions, lacrosse games, school musicals, and tennis matches.

Perry’s first retirement in 2000 after 25 years of private practice lasted about a year before he took a job at Golden State Humane Society as a resident veterinarian. He considered this phase of his career as “semi-retired” compared to running his own clinic. His conditions on taking the job included taking time off every June during Pioneer Picnic in Callaway and in March for an annual trip to Guthrie, Oklahoma, for the Timed Event Championship. Perry was also a regular at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, sticking around for the slack and not missing a moment of action. 

Perry retired for good in 2018 and was able to live out his longtime wish to split his days between the family farm in Nebraska and the “sunny beach” in Southern California.

Perry was preceded in death by his parents, Ted and Sadie. He is survived by his wife, Mary Lynn Griffith; son, Clark T. Griffith II (Shelly), of Callaway; daughter, Mary Joyce Griffith Smet (Gary), of Costa Mesa, Calif.; grandchildren, Sara Griffith, Levi Griffith, and Alison Smet; sister, Judy Jacobson (Wes), of Pahrump, Nev.; brother, Bob Griffith (Eileen), of Seal Beach, Calif.; and nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at Callaway United Methodist Church on Saturday, March 8, at 10:30am. Burial to follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Callaway.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the Ted and Sadie Griffith Scholarship Fund for Callaway High School graduates. Donations can be mailed to PO Box #280, Callaway, NE 68825 in care of Sue Phelps. 

Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com