Donald Griffith Obituary

On July 3, 2025, we said goodbye to someone who made the world brighter. Donald R. Griffith, "Griff," passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 78, in Myrtle Beach, SC. Griff was born on March 23, 1947, in Utica, NY to the late Edna Louise (Stanton) and Benjamin Griffith. He was raised on a farm in Jordanville, NY and attended Owen D. Young school where he graduated in 1965. After high school, he enlisted in the Navy and was stationed in Norfolk, VA on the USS Vulcan, where he was the recipient of The Honor Man award. In 1969, he married Barbara Barringer of Richfield Springs, NY; together for over 10 years, they shared two children, Rene'e and Trevor Griffith. He worked as a machinist for many years at Chicago Pneumatic in both Utica, NY and Rock Hill, SC; and worked at Riverhawk Company in New Harford, NY for a few years before he fully retired. After retirement, Griff traveled the country in his RV, checking off his "must see" locations on his bucket list. He spent time in Texas making memories with his brothers and watching the sunsets; and he enjoyed living as a Snowbird in Arcadia, FL, where he made close friends at Craigs RV Park. Griff had many talents and hobbies; he was always "outstanding in his field" in everything he did. If he wasn't drawing, painting, or writing poems/songs, he was woodworking, building, or carving something. He was an avid gamer, loved music, playing the keyboards and singing (a pastime he enjoyed with his parents and siblings throughout life). He was known for his witty sense of humor, infectious laughter and his one liners such as: "What the Sam Hill?" Griff was always the life of the party; he brought joy to everyone in his presence and welcomed everyone into his life. Everyone always knew they were welcome to stop at his home in the Ilion Gorge for a game of horseshoes, to play video games or just to visit. Griff is survived by his devoted children: daughter, Renee (Jeff) Edwards of SC and son, Trevor (Eryn) Griffith of NY; his beloved grandchildren: Brittney Nowack, Alexis Nowack and Kaitlyn Edwards all of NY, Madison Edwards, Hope Edwards, Ethan Edwards and Tiana Edwards all of SC; Lohi Twitty of CO and Logan Chaney of NY; his brothers: Thomas Griffith and James Griffith (Carmen) of TX, Benjamin Griffith of CT, Bruce (Diane) Griffith of NY; his brother in law Edward Briggs of NY; many nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends he considered family. He was pre-deceased by his parents: Edna and Benjamin Griffith of NY; his sister: Martha Briggs of NY; his half-sister: Helen Lucia, "Honey" of GA; and his sister-in-law: Elizabeth Griffith, "Faye" of TX. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday July 27th, 2025, from 1:00to 4:00pm at the Knights of Columbus, 74 West Street, Llion, N.Y. Friends and family are asked to join. Cremation Services Direct (843-651-1194) of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is assisting the family with the arrangements. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Donald Raymond Griffith, please visit our floral store.