George Fielding Griffin

Col. George Fielding Griffin, 89, of Goose Creek, South Carolina, left this world on February 3, 2025.  He was born on July 2, 1935, in Henderson, Kentucky, and was raised in an Episcopal home for boys. George lived a vibrant and impactful life, marked by dedication, leadership, and a passion for service.

He was a proud veteran who served his country with honor.  While serving two combat tours in Vietnam, he received the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star with 2 oak leaf clusters.  His legacy of leadership began early, as he played football, and participated in the ROTC program at Eastern Kentucky University.  After graduating from EKU, he went on to establish the ROTC Ranger program at John Carroll University, inspiring countless young leaders. Throughout his life, George was known for his athletic prowess, notably as a league-leading fast-pitch softball pitcher for 36 years, and for his love of officiating high school and college football.

His commitment to helping others continued after his military service, as he served as a drug counselor and held the position of District Manager for United Insurance Company for 19 years. As a devoted member of the American Legion and a classical tenor singer in church choirs, George shared his love for music and community, touching many lives along the way.

In addition to his admirable accomplishments, George was a beloved family man. He is survived by his devoted wife of 68 years, Sandra Griffin, his four sons—Terry Michael, Bradley, Douglas, and Steven Griffin—and an extended family of eleven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents and half-brother, Steve Dickerson, as well as his cherished son, Christopher Mark, who awaits him in paradise.

The family will receive friends at 2:00 pm, on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at McAlister-Smith Funeral & Cremation, 869 St James Avenue, Goose Creek, SC.  A memorial service will commence at 3:00 pm to honor George's life.  As we come together let us remember him not with sadness, but with joy for all he achieved and the love he shared. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Tunnels to Towers Foundation at https://t2t.org/  or to Billy Graham's Samaritan’s Purse at https://www.samaritanspurse.org/

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com/.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation, 869 St. James Avenue, Goose Creek, S.C. 29445, 843-553-1511.