Derek Griffitts, son of Harry and Denise Griffitts and brother to Lindsey Griffitts, was an honor student at Lutheran High School of St. Charles and held a passion for sports. He competed in numerous teams throughout his life including TaeKwonDo, Baseball, Track & Field, Basketball and concentrated on and excelled at Soccer, Football, Wrestling and Golf during his years at Lutheran High School. He was an avid Kansas City Chiefs and Arkansas Razorback fan and had hopes of attending the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville. In May of his junior year in high school, he was diagnosed with an inoperable high grade glioma brain tumor. He spent the entire summer before his senior year receiving radiation treatments daily and then underwent an aggressive chemotherapy treatment throughout the remainder of his life. Eleven (11) months after his diagnosis, he passed away on April 2, 2016, just short of his high school graduation at the age of 18.
Derek was a kind soul, quiet, yet with a quick and witty sense of humor, and a friend to all. He is incredibly loved and eternally missed by his family and friends. The Griffitts family is excited and blessed to keep his memory alive through The Derek Griffitts Foundation. Within this not-for-profit organization, the Foundation will provide a scholarship in Derek’s memory and also disburse funds collected to the Washington University Pediatric Brain Tumor Research, as well as other organizations that help children and families struggling with pediatric cancer. The Griffitts family is grateful for the opportunity to give back to the school, community and medical institutions who helped them so much through this difficult time in their lives. Our most sincere thanks and blessings to each and everyone who has made The Derek Griffitts Foundation possible through participation in fundraising events and generous donations.
