Andrew Kirk GriffithSeptember 07, 1957 - December 20, 2016TulareAndrew (Andy) Kirk Griffith was born on September 7, 1957 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Melvin and Linda Griffith (Lewelling). He passed away on December 20, 2016 at the age of 59, after a long battle with liver disease. Andy graduated from Elk Grove High School in 1976. He was very active in high school rodeo, and there he met his future wife, Carol Gentner. They dated for 4 years before getting married on February 4, 1979 at Point Pleasant United Methodist Church. In August of 1980, they welcomed their first son, Nicholas Griffith. In August of 1984, their second son, Richard Griffith was born.Andy was always a very hard worker. The Griffith family lived and worked on a large cattle ranch in Wilton, Ca for the Pelican family. Andy would work before and after school to help his father. Shortly after graduating high school, he obtained a commercial driver's license and began hauling hay for Leon Schultz. In 1979, Andy got a job driving for Greg Hardesty, where he would haul hay for 10 years. He decided in 1989 to start his own business for buying/selling hay and trucking. He purchased his first truck and A.K. Griffith Trucking was born. Andy moved to Tulare in the summer of 1990. He stayed in the local Motel 6, while hauling for Roethlisberger Hay. At the end of summer, Carol, Nick, and Richard moved down and the family purchased a home. In the years to follow, Andy operated a hay squeeze and bought and sold hay for Manuel Machado. He established a lot of business relationships along the way, including helping to establish another trucking company in Bakersfield with Gary and Lana Grace. He spent the last of his working years doing what he loved and knew best.Andy enjoyed spending time with friends and family. He often could be found at local Tulare restaurants. He enjoyed vacationing with his friends, camping, cooking and socializing. He loved life and had a gift for making people laugh. His greatest joy came from his family, particularly his eldest grandson, Evan. Taking Evan to football practice, helping him with homework and sharing secret jokes were among Andy's most cherished memories. Andy leaves behind his former wife of 29 years, Carol Griffith with fiancé Mike Hefftner; son Nick Griffith, his wife Leslie and their children Keira and Emmett; son Richard Griffith with his son Evan and mother Chasity Jones, all of Tulare, Ca. He also leaves behind his mother Linda Lewelling of Carmichael, Ca; his brother John Griffith of Federal Way, Wa; his sister, Cindy Griffith of Tulare, Ca, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and countless friends.A celebration of life and repass, including dinner will be held on January 7, 2017, 3:30 pm, at Tulare First Baptist Church, located at 469 N Cherry St, in Tulare. A private burial will be held at a later date.