Kenneth G. Griffis

Kenneth Gerald Griffis, age 77, went to be with our Lord on Tuesday, January 31, 2017. Ken graduated from Coffee High School in Florence, AL, where he was a member of the band and tennis team. In 1962, he graduated from The University of Alabama where he was a member of ROTC and received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Following graduation, he was commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force as a jet and helicopter pilot. He served multiple tours of throughout southeast Asia, during which he was a rescue helicopter pilot in the 38th Aerospace and Recovery Squadron in Vietnam. Ken was awarded the Air Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Airforce Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal, and Presidential Unit Citation. Ken worked as a project manager with Rust Engineering for over 25 years and was an active member of Briarwood Presbyterian Church. He is survived by his daughters, Amanda Thomas (Gary) of Hoover and Anita Echols (David) of Vestavia Hills; brothers William C. Griffis (Dean), Table Rock Lake, MO, James L. Griffis (Billie) Huntsville, AL; sisters Margaret Campbell (Thomas), Birmingham, AL, Regina Gore (Danny), Quincy, FL; grandchildren Hannah Echols, Madison Thomas, Chase Thomas, and Haley Thomas; nieces Brandy Corbett, Leslie Mitchell, Stacia Corbett, Linda Babcock, Cindy Jones, Rhonda Copeland, Freda Griffis; nephews Johnny Campbell, Jeff Campbell, Paul Campbell, and Kenny Griffis. He is preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Sally M. Griffis, his parents Robert Chester and Freda Vaudine Griffis, brother Robert C. Griffis, Jr., and nephew Dewayne Griffis. The family will receive friends Saturday afternoon, February 4, 2017 from 2-3 pm at Southern Heritage Funeral Home followed by a chapel service at 3:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please send contributions in Ken’s memory to Briarwood Presbyterian Church, 2200 Briarwood Way, Birmingham, AL 35243