Franklin “Frank” Delano Griffith Sr.
Franklin “Frank” Delano Griffith Sr. passed away Wednesday, March 11 at Hospice of Hope in Seaman at the age of 92.
He was born April 13, 1933 in Harwood, the son of the late George and Frances (Dean) Griffith.
Frank was a proud Air Force veteran who served during the Korean War beginning on Jan. 7, 1951. His Air Force career took him to U.S. Air Force bases in San Antonio, Texas, San Francisco, Calif., Anchorage, Alaska and Wichita Falls, Texas. On December 15, 1953, he transferred from the Air Force to the Air Force Reserves and served until 1958.
While in Wichita Falls, Texas, Frank met and married his beloved wife, Martha Nell Goodwin, on Dec. 19, 1953 in her hometown of Seymour, Texas. They were married 53 ½ years before her passing on June 24, 2008. Frank was baptized into Christ on June 15, 1944 at the Pricetown Church of Christ, where he worshiped with his family and served as a deacon and trustee for many years. Though Frank worked several different jobs throughout his lifetime, he never got far from the farm. He grew up on a farm and during the darkest days of his journey through dementia, his childhood farm and those memories were always on his mind. He was always talking about his mom and dad and brothers and sisters. For his children he was sharing memories. To him, he was right there. During his working life he was a farmer and a carpenter. He retired in 1995 from Cincinnati Milacron.
Frank is survived by his children, Cathy Griffith of Lynchburg; Frank Griffith Jr., of Lynchburg; Melissa (Quinn) Fletcher of Huber Heights; Caitlyn (Robert Fulton) Burke of Lynchburg; Jayona (Ryan) McPherson of Hillsboro; and Uriah (Sarah Constant) Griffith of Blanchester; grandchildren, Franklin D. Griffith III of London; Jeffrey (Candace) Griffith of Lynchburg; Chance (Allamarria Collins) Herring of Dayton; Camry Herring of Huber Heights; and Breyelle Fletcher of Huber Heights; great-grandchildren, Madison (Sammie) Siders of Columbus; Ashlee (Caleb) Gee of Wilmington; Kameron Griffith of Wilmington; Alex Oliver and Melody Oliver of Lynchburg; Cash Griffith of West Virginia; Kain and Kamdyn McPherson of Hillsboro; A’Meriah and Dai’Lani Herring of Dayton; great-great-grandson, Lincoln Gee of Wilmington; two great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild on the way; step-great-grandson, Miguel Perry of Dayton; his sister and brother-in-law, Bonnie and Melvin Nicholas of Wilmington; one sister-in law, Ann Griffith of Lynchburg; and several nieces and nephews.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents, George and Frances; his wife, Martha; an infant son, Jeffrey Dennis; his sisters, Betty (Virgil) Barber and Sara (Danny) Farmer; his brothers, Elon (Doris), Richard, Toni (Paulette); two nieces and seven nephews; his in-laws, Jack and Helene Goodwin; one sister-in-law, Gayle (Phil) Hamner; and five brothers-in-law, Jackie, Billie, Doyle, Charles and Larry Don Goodwin.
Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 17 at the Pricetown Church of Christ, 2070 state Route 131, Hillsboro. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 18 at the Pricetown Church of Christ. Leo Kuhn and Daryl Mount will officiate. Burial will follow at the Harwood Cemetery with military honors presented by Highland County Honor Guard.
Frank’s family would like to thank the staff of Hospice of Hope, both at home and in Seaman, for their compassion and care, especially LeeAnn and Sherry. You were truly “angels among us.” In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to: Pricetown Church of Christ, 2070 state Route 131, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133, Southern Ohio Pregnancy Center, 135 W. Walnut, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133 or Hospice of Hope, 909 Kenton Station Dr., Maysville, Ky. 41056.
Davis-Turner Funeral Home is serving the family. For more, visit www.turnerfuneralhomes.cc.