Oscar Franklyn Griffith III

Oscar Franklyn “Frank” Griffith, III passed away on Monday February 5th peacefully at his home. Frank is survived by his loving wife Elizabeth “Betty” Colllins Griffith, his two children Michael Franklyn Griffith (Morgan) and Elizabeth Griffith Christy (Charles), his four grandchildren (Collins, Caroline, Mathis and Casey), and his sister Virginia Nanzetta (Phil). Frank was predeceased by his parents, Oscar Franklyn Griffith, Jr. and Virginia Griffith. He was also predeceased by his in-laws, Hugh L. Homer Collins and Mary Elizabeth Collins, whom he dearly loved.

Frank was born in Winston Salem, North Carolina, and began a lifelong fascination with how the physical world worked. As a child he built his own room onto to his parent’s house. As a teen he worked at a service station and developed a love of tinkering with motors of all kinds. Following a stint as a Draftsman at Western Electric and a turn in the Navy, Frank found himself in the Caribbean installing and testing advanced sonar devices. His passion for this work led him to Wake Forest University, where he graduated with a degree in Physics and the University of South Carolina, where he got his Masters and PhD. Frank arrived in New Orleans where he taught Physics at the University of New Orleans for 45 years. He was able to merge his studies with his passion for the mechanical as an expert witness and accident reconstructionist. While at UNO his passion for tennis led to a chance encounter with his soon to be wife, Elizabeth Collins. They were married shortly thereafter and for another 46 years until his death. Frank doted on their two children and early on revealed an indulgent demeanor where they were concerned, while also insuring they received a strong education in the sciences. When it was his turn to read bedtime stories his kids knew a Physics textbook was going to appear. Despite these efforts both of his children would go on to earn English degrees. In his free moments Frank spent years as a leader in the Civil Air Patrol as a glider pilot as well as a part-time consultant for the Army Corps of Engineers. His knowledge about nearly everything seemed limitless.

Frank was an extremely kind and helpful individual. His mechanical expertise kept a near fleet of his children’s friends on the road through their high school and college years. His advice and wisdom were sought by many who met him, as he generally knew the answer to any question. In retirement, he loved spending time with his grandkids being part of their games and watching them play.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests anyone so inclined to donate to either The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (https://www2.jdrf.org/) or The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation (https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/donate) A private funeral was held.