David Dellmon Griffiths

David Delmon Griffiths passed away on August 31, 2025, in Bohol, Philippines, at the age of 71. David was born to Delmon Joy Griffiths and Kathleen Virginia Barfus Griffiths on November 20, 1953, in transit from Dayton to Preston on the river bridge. His father delivered him, wrapped him in his mother's dress, and then continued to the hospital. David was later welcomed home by three older sisters.

As a young child, he struggled with his health. This kept him from attending school as often as he should have. Due to this, he was held back a year and was put in the same class as his younger sister. His teachers would often mistake them for twins throughout their years in school together. He attended both Clifton and Dayton Elementary, West Side Junior High, and then graduated from West Side High School class of 1973.

David grew up on a farm in Dayton, Idaho, with his parents and 9 siblings. They would often race horses through the fields and swim in the canal behind the house together. David enjoyed riding anything he could sit on, including the sheep and calves.

In high school, he enjoyed helping people with their groceries at Carl and Don’s Grocery Store. After graduation, he served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Melbourne, Australia.

Upon his return, he married Sheila Lindsay. They went on to have three children: Bridger David Griffiths, Helen Kayrene (Joe) Bleazard, and Kay Dee (Candice) Griffiths. David and Sheila were later divorced. He went on to marry Claudia Shirleen Snook. The two of them raised his children along with Shirleen’s three children, Anthony, Diana, and Jeff, whom David later adopted. Unfortunately, after the children were raised, this marriage did not last, and they lost contact with each other over the years. He then married Murl Green, but this did not last long either. Throughout these years, David enjoyed his work as a long-haul truck driver. He hauled cattle, grain, refrigerated trailers, and mail across the United States until his health declined, rendering him unable to continue this line of work.

Twenty-six years ago, David started writing to Norma Ras-Alvarez in the Philippines. After five years of courtship, he decided to move there to be with her. They were married on October 30, 2004. She was the love of his life. To that union came Queenie Mae Alvarez Griffiths and King Winner Alvarez Griffiths.

David loved living in the Philippines; he found joy with the community in the area when he became the mall Santa. Throughout the years, David became known to all as simply Santa. When his health started to decline, we were pleased to see comments from his friends and neighbors of all ages wishing Santa well. Upon his passing, they have continued to show their love and support for such a Jolly Old Man who helped bring the spirit of love and Christmas to their town all year long, not just in December.

David will be missed by all who knew him, both here and in the Philippines. He is survived by his siblings, Virginia (Cleon) Housley, Dellene (Boyd) Dahle, Lawana Alexander, Curtis (DeAnn) Griffiths, Lynn (Kathy) Griffiths, Winona (Marty) George, Scott (Jamie) Griffiths, Andrew (Gina) Griffiths, all of his children, many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Beth Winger Parson, brother Craig Griffiths, brother-in-laws; Nolan Winger, Ronald Alexander, and Keene Rigby, along with four nephews and two nieces.

A celebration of life for family and friends will be held at Virginia and Cleon Housley’s home at 2743 E Read Lane, (Riverdale) Preston, Idaho, this Saturday, September 6, 2025, at 1 p.m., with a potluck dinner to follow. He will be laid to rest in the Catholic Cemetery in Bohol, Philippines. 

The family would like to give a special thank you to David's wife Norma who went above and beyond to take care of David during his illness. To share a favorite memory of David or to offer condolences to the family, please leave a tribute on this page.