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Karol  Griffin Young

Karol Griffin Young

Nov 7, 1963 - Mar 4, 2010
Karol Griffin Young November 7, 1963 – March 4, 2010

Karol Griffin Young passed away at the University of Colorado Hospital Denver on March 4, 2010. She was greatly loved by her son, husband, and family.

An award winning author, photographer and artist, she was born in Africa, in Mvumi, Tanganyika, on November 7, 1963. She began elementary school in Kentucky and completed her elementary and secondary education in Laramie. She held a Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies from the University of Wyoming and taught in the English and Communication Department at Central Wyoming College in Riverton.

A gifted and generous teacher with a keen sense of humor, Karol will be remembered for her personal interest in the lives of her students, her co-workers and her family. Karol had been on the faculty of the Jackson Hole Writers Conference for many years. Among other recognitions, Karol earned the Wyoming Arts Council's Doubleday Award, given to a "woman writer of exceptional talent." In the words of her mentor and friend, author Craig Johnson, “Karol was the finest writer I ever met.”

Karol was endlessly fascinated with the world around her and could master any interest that caught her eye, from flower arranging to auto mechanics. She loved Wyoming and all the creatures in it. Most of all, she loved her family.

She was predeceased by her mother, Leah Griffin, of Laramie and is survived by her son, Sam, and her husband, Jason, of Riverton; her father, Ken Griffin, of Laramie; her sister, Shari Griffin, of Highlands Ranch, CO; and Jason’s mother, Kathy, and step-father, Frank Palazzolo, of Powell, WY; Jason’s father, Dave, and step-mother, Jan Young, of Riverton; Jason’s sister, Heather Harrison, and husband, Russ, of Green Bay, WI; grandparents Phil and Ruth Eubanks of Vacaville, CA and grandmother Leona Young of Vallejo, CA; step-brothers Joseph Palazzolo and wife Jacque, of Riverton; Aaron Turgeon of New Hampshire; step-sister Christine Phillip and husband Terry of Rapid City, SD; and many cousins, nephews, and nieces.

Viewing and visitation will be held at Davis Funeral Home in Riverton, Thursday, March 11th from 6:00 to 8:00 in the evening.

A celebration of Karol’s life will be held Friday, March 12th at 1:00 p.m. at Davis Funeral Home, 2203 West Main & Davis Lane, Riverton, WY 82501. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Karol’s honor to the Riverton Public Library or to your favorite charity c/o Davis Funeral Home.

Condolences can be made to the family online at davishfh@wyoming.com