In Loving Memory of Patrick Little John Griboski

June 2, 1990 – October 15, 2025

Patrick Little John Griboski, known affectionately to many as Pat, Patty, P Grib, Pappers, or Patty Poo, was born on June 2, 1990, at Kaiser Hospital in Panorama City, California. From the very beginning, Patrick showed strength and resilience—with his mom spending the first two months in the hospital before giving birth and finally going home. He was a loving son, brother, uncle, nephew, grandson, and father—charismatic, supportive, protective, and incredibly talented.

After his early months in California, the family made the long trek to Alaska—nine months of sheer challenge and change—before eventually settling in Fall City, Washington. In Alaska, Patrick spent his earliest holidays surrounded by grandparents, aunts, and uncles—Grandpa Rudy, who affectionately called him Pelon ("baldy" in Spanish), Grandma Alaska, Auntie Nina, Aunt Maria, and Uncle Tim. He celebrated his first Thanksgiving and Christmas there, and his first birthday on the Kenai Peninsula before the family moved to Washington shortly after.

His parents worked side by side—his dad as a meat cutter and his mom as a meat wrapper—while Patrick's big sisters and brother watched over him with love. Growing up, Patrick was the true "little brother," full of personality and joy. Steven remembers how Patrick would run around in his blue and turquoise speedo, the family cheering and chanting "Go Patty! Go Patty!" while listening to "Blue Monday" by New Order. His favorite candy was Milk Duds, and he carried that same sweet, mischievous energy everywhere he went.

As the siblings grew older, they discovered WWF wrestling, and Patrick quickly became The Rock, while Steven played Stone Cold. They spent endless hours in the yard playing football, kickball, and baseball—competitive but always laughing. Their home was full of love, laughter, and music. During those years, the family also adopted Liley Belle Griboski, who instantly became part of the family's heart. Patrick adored her and loved his sisters "blood to the core."

It was in Fall City that Patrick began school and fell in love with sports, especially t-ball and baseball. When he was five, one of his favorite places was Remlinger Farms, where he proudly proclaimed a pig as his own and insisted on visiting daily for a slice of carrot cake at the little kitchen nearby.

As a little boy, Patrick's heart was big and tender. Every day at school, he would stand by the fence, hoping to see a familiar face drive by. He'd cry and say, "It wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't so long," and his mom would gently remind him, "It's just a half day, Patty." That moment captured who Patrick was—sensitive, loving, and deeply connected to the people he cared for.

Patrick's brother Steven fondly recalls his very first memory of him: "I asked the best dad in the world, 'I have three sisters, no brother?' And then Patrick smiled at me the first time I ever saw him." It was the beginning of a lifelong bond.

Elizabeth remembers carrying him through the front doors in his little car seat and saying, "I didn't say we could have another baby," but of course, she loved him from that moment on.

Jennifer remembers watching him as a newborn, changing his diaper, and not realizing he had poop on his foot until it somehow ended up in her mouth—one of those chaotic moments that only happen in a house full of siblings. Another memory she laughs about is when she and Katie put ketchup on his head to prank Steven, making him think Patrick was hurt. Once Steven realized it was a joke, they all burst out laughing—a perfect example of the playful love that filled their childhood.

Liley's favorite memory is from middle school. She remembers getting out of class, looking for her mom or stepdad, but not seeing them anywhere. Instead, standing out front was her brother Patrick, waiting beside a white limousine, dressed sharply in a black tuxedo with pink flowers. Normally shy and quiet, Liley might have felt embarrassed by such a grand gesture—but this time, she loved every moment of it. It was her favorite birthday ever, made unforgettable by her big brother's love and flair for making people feel special.
Katie remembers how Patrick loved to show off his ninja Power Ranger moves — always insisting on being the red Power Ranger, full of energy and confidence. She would watch him for hours, completely entertained by his imagination and dedication to every move. One special memory that stands out was at Pete's in Carnation, during Katie and Brad's engagement party, when Patrick and Brad sang "Neon Moon" together, dedicating it to Katie. It was one of those moments that perfectly captured his humor, heart, and love for family.

Patrick attended Seventh-day Adventist School for two years before moving on to middle school, where his natural charm and humor drew people to him easily. After his parents divorced, his family moved to Ellensburg, which his mother always called "the greatest place to live." He attended Ellensburg High School, where he met his first love, Brooke Oversby, and built friendships that would last a lifetime.
Brooke fondly remembers their many car rides in his black BMW sedan—it was matte black, and she swears they were pulled over on the freeway more times than she could count because it overheated every trip to Fall City to visit Jen and the kids. One time, on the way to her parents' house, Patrick blasted the heat and rolled down the windows in the fall, saying, "This is how California feels—hot wind!" She laughed, knowing he was really trying to make her smile through the car trouble.

He was deeply loved by his best friends from high school, Travis "Brozy" Brozovich, Brandon Marth and Derek Hughes, and together they shared countless adventures—pool parties, drives, and nights full of laughter. After a fire at Little John's, Patrick moved in with Brooke and her parents, where they gave him his own room. Brooke said that was the closest they ever were, other than the time they stayed at the Judge house, where they made lifelong memories with Garrett, Ginger, Gabi, and all of the siblings.

She recalls, "Sometimes I wish I could relive those days. He had a heart of gold that he wore on his sleeve. I wish I had more time with him. The last time we talked, he reached out to me on Facebook to wish me a happy birthday—it surprised me that he remembered all these years later. We talked about how much he loved living in Hawaii and how excited he was to spend time with Lizzy and the kids. I wish I could have seen him as a dad after watching him be the best uncle and brother for so many years. He always held a place in my heart, and I know he's at peace now."

Patrick loved fishing, adventure, and travel. He cherished summers in California, spending time with his cousins Robby, Allison, and Kacie, where they would surf, laugh endlessly, visit Disneyland, and attend church camp together. He carried those memories in his heart forever.

Patrick's life took him many places—from Fall City to Hawaii, where he lived on the Big Island for a year and fell in love with the ocean and the simple beauty of island life. In his early adulthood, he was diagnosed with diabetes, a challenge he faced with courage and perseverance.

At 21, Patrick became a father to his beloved son, Brayden, with Brittany Walsh. Being a dad was one of the greatest joys of his life. He adored Brayden deeply and made sure everyone knew just how proud he was of his boy.

During Brittany's pregnancy, Patrick was full of ideas for baby names. He suggested Magic, after Magic Johnson, or Giovanni so they could call him "G" for short—or even Jagger, after his favorite drink. Brittany laughed and told him he was officially fired from baby-naming duty. Brayden grew to share so many of Patrick's passions—his love of cars and ability to talk for hours about different makes and models, his sports fanaticism and encyclopedic memory of player stats, and even his obsession with shoes. And just like his dad, whenever he tries to fib, that same unmistakable grin gives him away every time.

Patrick had a lifelong passion for European cars, admiring their design, craftsmanship, and performance. Whether he was talking about cars, music, faith, or life, Patrick had a way of making everyone around him feel seen, heard, and understood.

He loved God, family, music, art, self-improvement, watching the fights, traveling, great food, and good conversation. He carried his faith in Christianity close to his heart, often reading his favorite scriptures and finding strength in the Book of Job. Patrick had a gift for turning hardship into purpose—always finding a positive light, even through struggle.

Patrick found immense joy in being an uncle. He loved spending time with his nieces and nephews — Little June, Charlotte, Johnny, Dean, Charlie, Ginger, Gabi, Garrett, Warden, and Ranger—watching them grow and sharing his faith with them. Some of his most meaningful moments were spent reading the Bible with Charlie, planting seeds of love, faith, and guidance that will continue to grow in their hearts.

Patrick loved animals, especially his doggies—and he adored Katie's dogs Nacho, Lynch, Nala, Nate, and Griffers. He had a gentle way with them, always making sure they felt loved and cared for.
He was also working toward becoming a certified sober support counselor in Colorado before he passed, turning his own growth into a path to help others.

Patrick is survived by his loving mother, Theresa Riggins, and her husband, Robert Riggins; his cherished son, Brayden; his sisters, Jennifer, Catherine, Elizabeth, and Liley; his brother, Steven; his stepsiblings, Josh and Amanda Riggins; and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Little John Griboski, Grandma Alaska, Grandpa Rushing, Grandpa Rudy, and his nephew Garrett Judge.

As we remember Patrick, we celebrate a life filled with love, laughter, and faith. Though his time on Earth ended too soon in Aurora, Colorado, his light will continue to shine through everyone who loved him.
Patrick's unwavering faith was a cornerstone of his life. In his memory, we hold close the words from his favorite verse:

"Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers… will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." — Romans 8:39