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COL Don M. Griffin

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COL Don M. Griffin

Birth	:	6 Oct 1925 Kirk, Yuma County, Colorado, USA
Death	:	27 Jul 2017 Wilton, Sacramento County, California, USA
Burial	:	Natoma Lutheran Cemetery, Natoma, Osborne County, USA
Coordinate	:	39.1907700, -99.0162700
Description	:	Colonel Donald M. Griffin, 91, USAF (retired) Another WWII U.S. Army-trained “farmer/pilot” has left us. Donald Melvin Griffin, 91, passed away on July 27, 2017, at his home in Wilton, Calif., with his wife by his side. Don was born Oct. 6, 1925, on his Grandfather Manley’s homestead farm in Kirk, Colo., to George Melvin Griffin and Berniece Manley Griffin. He graduated from Natoma High School in Natoma, Kan., in 1943. Don is survived by his wife of 22 years, Marsha Griffin; a brother, David Griffin of Natoma; two sisters: Evelyn Kee and Berneita Schneider, also of Natoma; four children:... Read More	Colonel Donald M. Griffin, 91, USAF (retired) Another WWII U.S. Army-trained “farmer/pilot” has left us. Donald Melvin Griffin, 91, passed away on July 27, 2017, at his home in Wilton, Calif., with his wife by his side. Don was born Oct. 6, 1925, on his Grandfather Manley’s homestead farm in Kirk, Colo., to George Melvin Griffin and Berniece Manley Griffin. He graduated from Natoma High School in Natoma, Kan., in 1943. Don is survived by his wife of 22 years, Marsha Griffin; a brother, David Griffin of Natoma; two sisters: Evelyn Kee and Berneita Schneider, also of Natoma; four children: Jennifer Schock, Constance Griffin, Penny Griffin and Julie Davis, all of Phoenix; a stepdaughter; a stepson; and 20 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his former wife, Virginia Heffner, and daughter Ruth Voelker; and by his brother Lowell Griffin and sister Barbara Deschner. Initially, he began his military career at Walker AFB in 1943, which led up to his becoming a veteran military Regular Officer and career pilot in the U.S. Air Force, Don retired in 1983 as a full Colonel after 38 years of combined service to his country. After WWII, he became a commercial flight instructor and worked in civil aviation. He flew with the U.S. Army Air Corps Reserve and transitioned to the U.S. Air Force when it became an entity. Don returned to active duty in May 1953. He was a Strategic Reconnaissance pilot during the Cold War; a Standardization/Evaluation Instructor Pilot; and one of the original RB-66 reconnaissance pilots. He flew the RB-47H and the RC-135C in Cold War Sino-Soviet peripheral reconnaissance areas and in the Vietnam combat zone. Don was stationed around the United States and the world, including airfields in Texas, California, Arizona, Kansas, Nebraska, Alaska, Korea, Japan and Spain. He also served in England, Turkey, Okinawa and the Philippines on extended temporary duty. He was a Strategic Air Command Wing Commander of two separate wings and was continuously associated with Reconnaissance and Task Force Operations. A highly decorated officer, Don’s medals include the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross with three oak leaf clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters, and more. He accumulated more than 10,000 flying hours. Don was a loving father and enjoyed his family and grandkids. His passing leaves a big hole in our hearts. He leaves this earth having already made his mark in history as a great pilot, commander of men, and one of those who proudly defended the United States with every fiber of their being. A memorial is planned for 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 6, 2017, at the Natoma Community Center, in Natoma. Inurnment will follow in Natoma Lutheran Cemetery. Military honors will be performed by the Russell V.F.W. Post 6240. Guests are invited to return to the Community Center for lunch. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Wounded Warriors Foundation.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is COL Don M. Griffin's memorial?
COL Don M. Griffin's memorial is located at: Natoma Lutheran Cemetery, Natoma, Osborne County, USA.
When did COL Don M. Griffin death?
COL Don M. Griffin death on 27 Jul 2017 in Wilton, Sacramento County, California, USA
Where are the coordinates of the COL Don M. Griffin's memorial?
Latitude: 39.1907700
Longitude: -99.0162700

Family Members:

Parent

George Melvin Griffin

(1901 - 1989)

Berniece Manley Griffin

(1902 - 1992)

Siblings

Barbara Ellen Griffin Deschner

(1930 - 1970)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Natoma Cemetery
Natoma, Osborne County, USA
Coordinate: 39.1907700, -99.0162700

2. Natoma Lutheran Cemetery
Natoma, Osborne County, USA
Coordinate: 39.1907700, -99.0162700

3. Natoma Catholic Cemetery
Natoma, Osborne County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2054050, -99.0289480

4. Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery
Natoma, Osborne County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2708015, -99.0096970

5. Mount Hermon Cemetery
Paradise, Russell County, USA
Coordinate: 39.1324997, -98.9439011

6. Bowlby Ranch Cemetery
Ellis County, USA
Coordinate: 39.1127430, -99.0513540

7. Round Mound Cemetery
Osborne County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2630997, -98.9636002

8. Conger Cemetery
Plainville, Rooks County, USA
Coordinate: 39.1978700, -99.1232100

9. IXL Cemetery
Natoma, Osborne County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2491989, -98.9218979

10. Aurora Cemetery
Laton, Rooks County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2778015, -99.0847015

11. Shiloh Cemetery
Codell, Rooks County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2350006, -99.1410980

12. Victor Cemetery
Osborne County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2380981, -98.8613968

13. Norman Cemetery
Ellis County, USA
Coordinate: 39.1044006, -99.1575012

14. Chalk Mound Cemetery
Laton, Rooks County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3208008, -99.0852966

15. Fairport Cemetery
Russell County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0463982, -99.0207977

16. Cedar Bluff Cemetery
Osborne County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2496986, -98.8431015

17. Pleasant Plain Cemetery
Osborne County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3367004, -99.0372009

18. Paradise Center Cemetery
Codell, Rooks County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2050570, -99.2058100

19. Cole Cemetery
Osborne County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2352982, -98.8060989

20. Waldo Catholic Cemetery
Waldo Township, Russell County, USA
Coordinate: 39.1036600, -98.8162400

21. Covert Cemetery
Osborne County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2896996, -98.8107986

22. Mount Ayr Cemetery
Alton, Osborne County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3764000, -98.9717026

23. Twin Mound Cemetery
Rooks County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2855988, -99.2319031

24. Survey Cemetery
Woodston, Rooks County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3722000, -99.1333008