Richard "Dickie" Haywood Griffis Sr., 88, of Morehead City, North Carolina, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, August 13, 2026.

A memorial service to honor Dickie’s life will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, August 30th, at Munden Funeral Home. Following the service, the family will welcome friends to join them for a reception and time of fellowship.

Dickie was born on January 23, 1938, in Chapel Hill, but got to Pack Country before he was a year old and has been a lifelong Wolfpack Fan. He grew up across from North Carolina State University and graduated from Broughton High School in 1956 where he established many lifelong friends. His dear friends, Carolyn and GG Hall and family have been a huge part of his life along with the late Ronald Mooring and his wife Delores. They were all like family and enjoyed fishing and boating together.

Dickie worked in sales in the Raleigh area before relocating to Carteret County in the early 1980’s. A mutual friend introduced him to the love of his life, Sheilia Goodnight. He and Sheilia married in 1983 and settled briefly in Beaufort on the Causeway, before moving to Morehead City where they continued to live.

When Dickie moved to Carteret County, he did Property Management before meeting and getting to know Jack Byrum who at the time owned Coral Bay. Dickie purchased the Marina and developed it to what you see today, then sold it and went into construction where he enjoyed bringing life back into the homes he was hired to remodel. Later in life, he owned a mini-storage facility off Highway 24 and ran it until he retired at the age of 79. He loved talking to people and helping where he could.

He was a lifelong lover of water, boating, and fishing. He was involved in the starting of the Carteret County Sport Fishing Club where he met new friends and enjoyed fishing tournaments and putting down artificial reefs until the Club disbanded. He was also involved in the start of the “Take A Kid Fishing Program” that is now handled by Big Rock. He loved helping the children enjoy a day fishing.

Dickie was one of the original Bojangles Club that met each morning rain or shine to share jokes, fishing stories and numerous other conversations. As his health declined, Dickie continued to enjoy his time at Bo’s, where he loved listening to the conversations, spending time with the friends he valued so much.

His love of travel took him many places from China to Hawaii, Costa Rica, Nova Scotia, just to name a few. He also loved to cruise with friends and family and did so for over 30 years. Out of those cruises, lifelong friendships began or continued and turned into family friends. He especially loved cruising with Mike and Melinda Helms, Jim and Marta Preddy, Emitte and Shirley Tutor, and Barry Nash, as well as Paul and Kerry Campbell and Terry and Dawn Norris.

Dickie leaves behind his wife of 43 years, Sheilia Goodnight Griffis; his daughter, Paige Lee of Clayton; his special brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Paul and Kerry Campbell of Garner and their children, his special niece, Breanne Campbell of Garner and his special nephew, Bryan Campbell (Sara) of Apex; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Phil and Andrea Horne of Trinity and their son, his nephew, Drew Horne (Fhalyshia) of Liberty; his 3 grandchildren, Daniel Matthews (Amy), Ashley Almaski (Mike), and Trever Lee (Sydney); and his 6 great-grandchildren plus one on the way.

Dickie was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Flora Griffis of Raleigh, and his son, Richard “Rick” Griffis Jr., who he missed every day for the past 28 years.

The family would like to thank the many family members and friends that have shown support, given food, sent texts, and loved them through this journey. The family is especially thankful to Nurse Sherry with Gentiva Hospice who comforted, explained things, and gave support and guidance through this journey.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.