COVER STORY


only to learn through an audit that Mike had been overpaying instead. “He believed in an honest, hard day’s


work,” Patrick said of his father. “And if he told you something that was the way it was going to be.” After much urging, Mike served his year


as Motor Carriers of Montana president and then stayed on as a board member. One of his drivers,DorisHanson, became the first Montana driver the American Trucking Associations selected as driver of the year. Before his death Griffith underscored the importance of MCM membership.


“I’ve been a member of the MCM for 24


years,”Griffith said. “I joined the MCM after observing how much the Motor Carriers can do in all areas of our industry. Keeping us aware of changes in rules and regulations, and helping us be heard while Legislature is in session.” Along with his presidency, Griffith was


a member of the SouthDakota Trucking Association and the ATA.He was also active in the community as a member of the Baker Chamber of Commerce and Lions Club. “I think he was a man of honor and


integrity,” Patrick said. “He tried to do what


was right.He understood that those who get involved are those who make a difference.” A travel bug, Griffith enjoyed trips with


Anna and friends to places like the Panama Canal, from which he would return full of stories that often left him convulsed with laughter during the telling. “He liked to tell stories about the trips,”


Patrick said. “Any older memories. If it was stuff he and his friends did in high school he loved to tell stories. …He loved to talk about when he was in dispatch, before regulation, and he’d have 40 trucks out there.” Rost’s friendship withGriffith dates at least


to their Cub Scout days in Baker, and Rost recalled his brother in law as an avid supporter of his community and the BakerHigh Spartans. Though Rost married into the family, he didn’t go to work at Quality Transportation until early in 1995, but knowingGriffith as he did, Rost was confident he was entering an environment where employees and their own family responsibilities were valued. “I’ve worked around a lot of folks but I


probably never had any higher respect for guys I’ve worked for than this guy,” Rost said. Because of his struggles with polio, Griffith


was able to qualify for disabled driver stickers and parking spaces but Patrick said his dad rarely took advantage. Mike always felt there was someone who was worse off and would need the space more. Patrick recalled a family trip to the Florida


theme parks, includingDisneyworld, when Patrick was in high school. Park employees, noticing Mike limping or in difficulty, would try to bump the family to the front of the line but Mike refused, even as his sons urged him to accept so they could get inside and get to the thrill rides more quickly. “I can wait as well as anyone,” Mike said. With Mike in charge, even mundane


sounding outings turned into adventures. Mike co-owned a piece of farmland and


by agreement one of his responsibilities was upkeep of the property’s fences. Any kids — Patrick and Matt and their friends or cousins — who went along to help with the fencing usually got a chance to drive Mike’s early 1970s model Ford pickup. “A lot of people, that was their first driving


experience,” Patrick said. Other trips had a way of becoming exciting


just because theGriffiths were involved. One a visit to see one of Mike’s agents in


Chicago, in the days before cell phones and GPS, Patrick and Mike got lost. Mike didn’t want to stop and make a call for directions, so they decided to follow a taxi, which led them


10 ROADWISE | ISSUE 1, 2013 | www.mttrucking.org


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