Donald Lewis Griffin

Donald Lewis Griffin

I, Don Lewis Griffin-W7DMD, became a silent key on July 31, 2012 at Salome, La Paz County, Arizona near Brenda, Arizona.

I was born on February 26, 1934 in Ogden, Weber County, Utah. My parents were Ellis B. and Gwendolyn Jenkins Griffin. I grew up in West Weber and have many fond memories of the area and the people who lived there. I graduated from Weber High School when it was near Washington and 12th Street.

I served in the US Navy in the late 1950''s. I served on the US Essex (CVA-9) and as a member of air group VF-114. I made several lifelong friends there. We visited many ports in different countries while on a cruise to the Far East.

After returning to civilian life I met Marilyn Kunz at the pioneer play Promised Valley, where she played the piano and I worked the lights. We were married August 9, 1962 in the Logan LDS Temple. We raised 5 children: Kent, Karla, Tana, Donette, and Jacqui. Our family did many fun things together as a family. They took up rock climbing and we did many good climbs together. I recall many memorable ones in the Tetons, City of the Rocks, Joshua Tree, and the sandstone of Southern Utah. Thanks for the many good climbs guys.

We took many family trips together, snow machining in the winter, sailing and climbing in the summer. It takes a close knit family to spend two weeks together in a camper in winter or a sailboat in summer and enjoy it. We had fun.

I attended Weber College and later Utah State University where I graduated in Electrical Engineering. I have worked at Hill Air Force Base, Utah State University, and Westinghouse Electric at the Idaho National Engineering Lab. I have fond memories of the people and the experiences that I have had at these places. It has been interesting.

My outdoor activities have included mountaineering, flying, sailing and snow machining with the family. I served as Scoutmaster in both the Millville and Riverside Wards, and have many great memories of the scouts. Indoor interests have been ham radio, photography, family history and genealogy. I am a 5th generation family genealogist. I appreciate all the work those before me have done.

My mother researched many histories of the early pioneers of the area. She wrote the 1957 West Weber Centennial play that was produced on an outdoor stage, "In the Bend of the River". I have continued that interest by continuing to document West Weber History.

I am survived by my wife Marilyn (N7TFT) and my children, Kent (WB7PYX) and Liz de Forest, Salt Lake City; Tana (N7OEC) and Max Sorenson, Clarkston, Washington; Donette (formerly KC7GWQ) and Mark Hurst, Layton; Jacqui and John Ruckstuhl, Denver; 10 grandchildren; brother Wayne (Ellen) Idaho Falls; and sister, Joan (Harvey) Higley, Farr West.

I was preceded in death by my daughter, Karla; 2 grandsons; and my parents.

As per my request, Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, August 7, 2012, at 10 a.m. at West Weber Cemetery. Here I will be laid to rest with my daughter, parents, brother, grandparents, great-grandparents, and great-grandmother. Till we meet again. Friends may visit with family on Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist''s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd.