Gerald Griffith

Colonel Gerald Sousley Griffith (USA-Retired), died at Pioneer Trace Nursing Home on May 1st, 2016, surrounded by family. He was born at Ewing, Kentucky September 3rd, 1932 to Omar Wilson and Susie Sousley Griffith. He was a career military officer, entering the U.S. Army upon graduation from The Citadel in 1954, and serving for more than 30 years.

He is survived by his wife, Ann Asbury Griffith, and four daughters: Cary Lynn (Phillip) Carl of Bracken County KY; Emily Susan (Donnie) Bain of Lexington; Mary Jane Terrell of Nicholas County KY; and Elizabeth Ann (Michael) Mattox of Menifee County KY; a brother-in- law, Sherrill Storey of Flemingsburg and a step-sister, Nancye Evans of Scott County KY. He is also survived by nine grandchildren: Amy Katherine Carl of Bracken County KY; and Dana Lynn (Eric) Hampton, of Fleming County; David Joshua (Shannon) Pugh, Joseph Griffith Pugh of Lexington, and Ray Charles Dawson, Jr. of Crested Butte, CO; Sarah Curtsinger (Roger) Vice of Nicholas County and Alan Ross (Tara) Curtsinger of Lexington; and Benjamin Michael Mattox of Nashville, TN and Lainey Caitlin Mattox of Morgan County. Five great-granddaughters: India Nicole Pugh, Ella Rose Pugh , Molly Catherine Pugh and Lucy Ann Pugh of Lexington, and Sadie Faye Vice of Nicholas County, and one great-grandson: Braxton Dale Hampton of Fleming County, three step grandsons: Brad, Jeremy and Scott Terrell and four step great-grandsons: Jayden and Brayden Terrell and Brylee and Isaac Hampton. He was predeceased by his sister, Sue Lynn Storey, his sister-in-law, Emily Wolf and his son-in-law, Clarence J. Terrell.

Colonel Griffith attended Fleming County High School and graduated from Kentucky Military Institute, Lyndon, KY in 1950. He was a graduate of The Citadel, Charleston, S C (AB, History) in 1954, and of Shippensburg State University (MS, Public Administration) in 1975. During his years of military service he served in numerous locations throughout the world including Ft. Sill, OK; on the DA General Staff, Washington, DC; Thailand; Republic of Vietnam; Ft. Bragg, NC and as Senior Army Advisor to the US Army National Guard, Frankfort, KY. He was a 1970 graduate of the US Army Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, KS and the US Army War College (1975), at Carlisle Barracks, PA. His special qualifications included Parachutist, Special Forces, Nuclear Weapons Employment, and Instructor. His military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit (OLC), Bronze Star (OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (OLC), Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal (OLC), Kentucky Distinguished Service Medal, Senior Parachutist's Badge and the Army General Staff Identification Badge.

Upon retirement from the US Army in 1985, he resided in Ewing where he engaged in general farming in both Fleming and Nicholas Counties. For several years he taught American History and American Government at the Maysville Community College on a part-time basis. He was a 50-year member of Favorite Lodge #581, F&AM in Ewing, where he held numerous offices, serving as Master during 1995. For several years he was a member of the Fleming County Hospital Board of Trustees, serving as Vice Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer. He also served as a member of the Fleming County Hospital Foundation Board. He was a member of the Ewing Christian Church for seventy-one years, serving as a member of the General Board for many years.

A memorial services will be conducted at the Ewing Christian Church by Rev. Larry Ingram and Rev. Norman Wasson, at 11:00 am Thursday, May 12, 2016. Private burial will be in the Elizaville Cemetery with Military Funeral Honors conducted by the W.N. Fant American Legion Post #5 and the Franklin Sousley VFW Post #1834. Visitation will be at the church from 9am-11am Thursday, May 12th .

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Ewing Christian Church, P.O. Box 284, Ewing, KY 41039 or Hospice of Hope, 909 Kenton Station Dr., Maysville, KY 41056. Funeral arrangements are in the care of Carpenter-Fritz & Vice Funeral Home. Condolences may be made at www.carpenterfritzvicefh.com

Visitation:
9am-11am Thursday, May 12, 2016 at Ewing Christian Church

Funeral:
Memorial Service 11:00 am Thursday, May 12, 2016 at Ewing Christian Church

Interment:
Private Burial in Elizaville Cemetery