GRIFFITH, Harvey M.

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ August 23, 2007 Harvey M. Griffith, 81, of Concho, died Aug. 17, 2007, in Show Low. Mr. Griffith, a retired administrator for the U.S. Air Force, was born Nov. 1, 1925, in Jewel Ridge, Va. He attended school in Richlands, Va. Following high school, he was drafted in the Navy. During the World War II, he served on a destroyer escort named the SS Straub, in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. At the conclusion of World War II, he returned and attended college in Blue Field, W.Va. He then enlisted in the Air Force and was stationed in Denver. It was there that he met Jessie Marie Burr, and they were married June 30, 1950. He then went to Korea during the Korean Conflict. His military service took him all over the world, and he also served during the Vietnam War. Following Vietnam he retired from the military and began working as an operations manager for Diamonds Department Stores. He retired in the 1980s. During his retirement he enjoyed golf, gardening, and woodwork. He and his wife moved to Concho in 1987. Harvey loved people, and he enjoyed being with his grandchildren and was a "jack of all trades." He is survived by his wife, Jessie M. Griffith of Concho; daughter Carol M. Mitchell of Elk, Calif.; brother John Griffith of Fort White, Fla.; two sisters, Virginia Wilson of Huntsville, Texas, and Margaret Regan of Knoxville, Tenn.; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Keith Martin Griffith, in 1978. A memorial service was held Wednesday, Aug. 22, at the San Raphael Catholic Church in Concho. A memorial contribution may be made in the name of Harvey M. Griffith to the ALS Association (Lou Gehrig Disease) AZ Chapter, 4520 N. Central Ave., Suite 560, Phoenix, AZ 85012. Owens Mortuary of Holbrook handled the arrangements. For those who have special memories and would like to send private condolences or sign our online guest book, visit www.owensmortuary.com