Colonel (Ret.) John W. Griffith

Retired Colonel John William Griffith, 80, of Austin, died May 8, 2012. He was born August 11, 1931 in St. Mary’s Hospital in Port Arthur, Texas to Earl and Effie Griffith, who preceded him in death, as did his wife, Mary Helen Fisher Griffith and younger brother, James Mabry Griffith. He is survived by his three daughters, Linda Coulter, of Liberty Hill; Cheryl Burris and husband, Brad, of Plano; and Jennifer Frame and husband, David, of Austin; two sons, Gary Griffith, of Hutto; and Greg Griffith and his wife, Jenn, of Austin; ten grandchildren, Lindsey Burris Hilscher and husband Matt, of Phoenix; Evan and John Brooks Burris, of Plano; David, Alex and Colin Frame, of Austin, and Emma, Cooper, Carter, and Travis Griffith, of Austin; one brother, David Griffith of Houston; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

John graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Port Arthur, Texas in 1949 and from Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas with a BS in Meteorology in 1959. He loved his Aggies! He also attended Lamar State College in Beaumont, Texas where he studied Electrical Engineering and St. Edwards University where he made progress towards an MBA.

Col. Griffith joined the United States Air Force in 1951 and proudly served his country that he loved so much. His many assignments included Tactical Instructor at Lackland AFB, Squadron Commander of a Combat Flying Squadron (Antique Airlines) in the Vietnam War, Pilot, Instructor Pilot, and Flight Examiner of Single and Multi-engine Conventional and Jet Aircraft. Col. Griffith amassed 7000 hours as Pilot in Command in T-28, T-33, T-37, T-38, C-7, C-47, EC-47, C-124, C-141 and C-5A aircraft, as well as numerous Civilian Aircraft. He was decorated with numerous medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star and Combat Readiness.

Following his retirement from the USAF in 1975, John worked as a pioneer in the evolving computer industry in Austin, Texas. He enjoyed post-military careers at Texas Instruments, Inc. and CompuAdd Corp., Inc.

John was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend who made a difference in every life he touched. He was an active member of Bethany United Methodist Church and the Searchers Sunday School Class. John was a true blessing to us and the family is grateful to his many friends with whom he shared his long, eventful, wonderful life. He loved his children and grandchildren dearly. John’s greatest passion in his later life was cheering his many grandchildren on in their various athletic activities.

Visitation will be held Thursday, May 10, 2012 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Cook-Walden Chapel of the Hills Funeral Home 9700 Anderson Mill Rd. Funeral Services will be held 10:00 am, Friday, May 11, 2012, at Bethany United Methodist Church with Reverend Tom Deviney officiating. Graveside Services will be at 1:00 pm in Killeen, TX at Central Texas State Veteran’s Cemetery, 11463 State Highway 195, Killeen, Texas 76542.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions in his name be sent to Bethany United Methodist Church Foundation, 10010 Anderson Mill Road, Austin, Texas 78750.

He will be greatly, unbelievably, incomparably, lovingly missed.