TC Griffay

Tommy Charles (TC) Griffay, age 72 of Manhattan, passed away Saturday, August 8, 2026, at Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan.

He was born on March 2, 1954, in Midland, Texas, the son of Charles Dane and LaJauna Bernice (Sellman) Griffay. TC grew up in Brady, TX and graduated from Brady High School with the class of 1972. In his younger days, TC played baseball as a catcher and played tennis. His Grandmother on his maternal side was half Cherokee Indian and Great-Grandfather was a full Cherokee Preacher. (That heritage might not have been the best mix with an Irish Girl but they made it work for 39 years.)

TC started working as an electrician for Dallas Adams, his uncle, when he was 17 years old. Not only was Dallas his uncle & mentor but TC and Dallas shared a very close relationship and thought the world of each other. Well, at least until Pam came along and then Dallas would stick up for her.

His electrical career started with Dodds Electric in Texas. Later he worked for Weise Corporation out of Texas and did many jobs all over the United States. When he landed in Manhattan, KS doing a job at Ft. Riley Hospital, he met a blonde at the DugOut. It took some convincing but she agreed to a date. He married Pamala O'Neill on August 1, 1987, in Randolph, KS. She survives. They then moved to Jacksonville, NC for a job at Camp LeJeune. Two years later when that job was completed the next job was in Utah. Pam was homesick and told TC, you go to Utah, but on the way, drop me off in Kansas. TC stayed in Manhattan with her for the rest of his life. He joined IBEW Local Union 226 and worked for Economy Electric for a couple years then started working and running contracted government jobs at Ft. Riley for some electrical contractors. Citadel Electric Group out of Oak Grove, MO heard about and got to know TC and approached him to be their Superintendent on jobs they had bid at Ft. Riley. As anyone will tell you, TC was one hell of a Superintendent on a job and had a reputation of being an excellent electrician. TC was a Master Electrician with the IBEW Local 226 out of Topeka.

TC had a passion for working hard and playing hard. He was a frequent visitor at the Dara's in Candlewood playing the Lotto. He was a Texas Football fan until Pam explained to him that K-State Football OWNS TEXAS. She quickly converted him. He was also a Chiefs fan but never truly converted to the Chiefs over the Dallas Cowboys. TC either LOVED the Cowboys or he HATED them.

TC loved to watch sports. Any sports. His favorites were football, baseball and he would sit for hours and watch horse racing on TV. He would have much rather been at the horse races but he picked horses every race to win, place and show. If he could find someone, TC would bet you if the sun would come up tomorrow if you would take that bet. Back when he was young his cousin, Todd, says one night TC just handed him $12,000 and told him, here hold on to this for me, I just won it rolling dice.

TC was an outdoor type of guy. He loved to hunt and fish. He spent many hours fishing at the Tubes at Tuttle Creek Lake. TC liked to dance and was a very good dancer. He loved animals and was a good caretaker of their pets. He was fun loving and loved to tell stories. He loved to make people laugh and had a HUGE heart. He would do anything to help out family or a friend. When Pam would have the "girls" over he would cater to their needs of snacks and beverages. Always with some banter mixed in. He had a special love for his mother-in-law, Kathleen O'Neill. There is nothing he wouldn't do for her and vice-versa. TC spent many days helping his father-in-law, Bob, on their family farm in Randolph. There wasn't always agreement on which way things should be done. Bob always enjoyed sharing stories he had heard of what a good electrician TC was and was always proud of that reputation TC had.

Besides Pamala, he leaves behind his sisters, Dana Friar (Roger) Brady, TX and Cherri Starks Henderson Katy, TX; Sister-in -law, Peggy O'Neill (Larry Aschermann) Carthage, MO; Brother-in-law, Bobby O'Neill Kansas City, KS; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws, Bob O'Neill and Kathleen O'Neill; sister-in-law, Patricia O'Neill; brother-in-law, James Hefner; his beloved uncle, Dallas Adams; and other aunts and uncles.

TC's smile, laugh and caring ways will be truly missed.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, August 15, 2026, at the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home with Pastor Kevin Larson officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 pm Friday. Burial will be in the Wamego City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be left to T. Russell Reitz Animal Shelter in Manhattan and left in care of the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home, PO Box 176, Riley, Kansas 66531.