John Thomas Griffin, Jr.

Captain John Thomas Griffin, Jr. (USAF - Retired), passed away surrounded by his loved ones on Saturday, September 28th 2024.

He was born in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, and graduated high school in 1958. He received his AA Degree in Pre-Engineering and enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1962. He served honorably during the Vietnam War Era from 1962 – 1983. After retiring in 1983 at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, he moved to Colorado where he worked at Martin-Marietta as a Reliability Engineer. In the summer of 1995, he brought his wife Mary back home to Biloxi, and he continued his work at Stennis Space Center as a National Data Buoy Center contractor. He retired in May of 2002.

He was a member of Northside Assembly of God Church, was a lifelong Christian and loved God and his church. He loved bowling and played on three different leagues. He also enjoyed golfing every week with his son Greg, until Greg’s passing in 2019.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ellen Griffin; son, Greg Griffin; parents, John Thomas Griffin and Margaret Joyce (Welch) Griffin; step-father, Donald Stelter; and siblings, Donna Stelter, Debbie Fick, Phyllis Schwandt.

He is survived by his children, Richard Griffin (Lisa) of Missouri, Rachel Bedell (Tom) of Biloxi; grandchildren, Shanna, Sera, Samantha, Stephanie, Trevor and Austin; and great-grandchildren, Luna, Ezekiel, Emery.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 4th 2024 from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at Riemann Family Funeral Home, 274 Beauvoir Rd. Biloxi, with a graveside service with military honors to follow at 12:00 p.m. at White Plains Methodist Church Cemetery 18029 White Plains Rd, Saucier, MS 39574.

A procession to the cemetery will leave at 11:15 from Riemann Family Funeral Home to White Plains Methodist Cemetery.

An online obituary may be viewed, and memories shared at www.RiemannFamily.com