GRIFFITH, James Earl 1924-2010
GRIFFITH, LUFKIN, FREY, JENSEN, KETLES
Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 5/12/2014 at 23:52:00
[Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, Sunday, July 11, 2010]
James Earl "Jim" Griffith, 85, of Mount Pleasant, formerly of Jesup and Des Moines, died Friday, July 9, 2010, at Pleasant Manor Care Center in Mount Pleasant.
He was born Oct. 10, 1924, in Waterloo, son of James Logan and Nora Lufkin Griffith. He married Betty Joan Frey March 5, 1955, in Iowa City. The couple later divorced.
He graduated from Jesup High School in 1942. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and became a sonarman 2nd class on the destroyer USS Stanton. He served during World War II and the Korean War. He received his bachelor's degree in music from the former Iowa State Teacher's College. He taught band in Aplington Consolidated School District and the Mallard School District. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy again in 1951. He was a sonarman 1st class aboard the destroyer USS Cunnin Gham. He received his juris doctorate degree from the University of Iowa. He was the assistant director of drivers licensing for the state of Iowa. He held a position with the Veterans Administration office in downtown Des Moines. He was an adjudicator for the disability claims of World War II and Korean War Veterans. He was a member of First Baptist Church.
Survived by a son, Robert "Bob" (Paula) Griffith of Mount Pleasant; a daughter, Carlene J. Griffith of Buffalo Grove, Ill.; a granddaughter; a great-grandson; and a sister, Fern Ketles of Jesup.
Preceded in death by a brother, Victor; and a sister, Hazel Jensen.
Services: 11 a.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church, Mount Pleasant, with burial in Keokuk National Cemetery, Keokuk, with graveside military honors. Friends may call from noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main Street, Mount Pleasant. The family will be present from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Memorials may be directed to First Baptist Church.
Black Hawk Obituaries maintained by Karen De Groote.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen