Captain Paul A. Griffin

Paul was known for his intellect, calm demeanor and laconic sense of humor. As his volunteer work illustrates, his compassion was linked to a no-nonsense approach to life: when he saw a problem, he found a way to fix it.

Paul was a graduate of Centre College, Danville Kentucky, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity. After college, he joined the U.S. Navy, where he earned a Masters of Science in Oceanography at the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, California. Later he earned a post-graduate degree from the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. He earned an additional Masters Degree from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces at National University, Washington, D.C. When he was a squadron commander, his squadrons were consistently ranked the best in the Navy. He retired from the Navy as a Captain after 27 years of distinguished service. He earned a Navy Achievement Medal, a Meritorious Service Medal, a Legion of Merit award and was commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel by the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

After retiring from the Navy, Paul had a second career at Lockheed Martin in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served as project manager for the avionics suite of the F-22 aircraft. In that capacity, he managed a budget of hundreds of millions of dollars.

While Paul was practical, he also was a romantic. His wife, Linda Lamb, was his heart and soul, and he looked for ways to let her know she was the center of his universe. For their 9th anniversary, Paul surprised Linda with a dawn concert in the back yard, featuring Michael Hulett. They married in 2002, and moved to McIntosh County in 2003, where Paul initiated his third career as a volunteer in the community.

Paul served as chairman of the McIntosh County, Georgia Board of Tax Assessors from December, 2005 to December 2012. Under his leadership, the board became the best-run and most professional office in the county. Paul also was a founding board member of Coastal WildScapes, a nonprofit organization devoted to preserving and restoring the biodiversity of Southeastern coastal ecosystems. He served as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) volunteer and was named CASA Volunteer of the Year in 2012. Paul was a member of the McIntosh County YMCA board, and a founding Board Member of McCARES a nonprofit organization that provides support and advocacy for McIntosh County’s children and their families.

Paul’s third – and most precious – career was as a grandfather. Paul’s 10 beloved grandchildren – Michael, Stephanie, Roan, Renee, Rosalie, Patrick, Lena, Jackson, Sam and Griffin – who called him Ahpa, were his overwhelming passion. Every summer, Paul and Linda transformed their home into the headquarters of what they called Camp Tolomato, filling the days with education disguised as summer hijinks and adventures. As one of the two camp counselors, Paul’s goal was to spend time with his grandchildren and let them have fun together, broaden their horizons and open them to the beauties and mystery of nature. Paul was an avid outdoorsman who loved boating, hiking, catch-and-release fly fishing and travel.

Paul was predeceased by his mother Irene Griffin, his father Paul Fryer, and his adoptive father, George Griffin. Paul is survived by his wife, Linda Lamb of Darien, Georgia; children Matt Griffin (Jennifer), Michele Turner Chris Lamb (Palmer), Melissa Kiser (Scott); sister, Penny Wells, and brother Carl Griffin (Christine Johnson).

Arrangements have been entrusted to Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home, 3321 Glynn Avenue, Brunswick, GA 31520. Visitation will be at 10:00 AM followed by the memorial service at 11:00 AM at Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home on Friday, June 5, 2015.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Coastal WildScapes, Inc., P.O. Box 1106, Darien, GA 31305, Hospice of the Golden Isles, 1692, Glynco Pkwy, Brunswick, GA 31525 or the donor’s charity of choice. www.edomillerandsons.com