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Samuel Griffith Obituary
Born July 26, 1943 to William H. Griffith and Audrey Cotter Griffith in Riverdale, MD, he earned Eagle Scout rank at age 15, graduated from High Point High School (1961) and University of Maryland (1965) - Madrigal singers, the men's leadership honorary Omicron Delta Kappa, and ROTC. Sam attained the rank of Captain in the United States Air Force. He earned a master's degree from University of Southern California.
Sam's civilian career began at the Federal Reserve Board in Washington, DC, and he retired from a Silicon Valley high tech company as a technical manager. After moving to Pebble Beach, CA, Sam was active in Sons of the American Revolution - Monterey Bay Chapter, I Cantori di Carmel - a classical concert choir, CSUMB Advisory Board, Eagle Scout Review Board, the Stillwater Club, the Group, and Rotary. Sam's lifelong passion was flying and he held numerous ratings and certificates as flight instructor, commercial pilot, and airline transport pilot. He enjoyed SCUBA diving in the waters of the Monterey Bay, Bermuda, and Hawaii, and cross-country driving trips. Recently, they moved closer to family to winter in Austin, TX, and summer in Durango, CO. Sam was buried at Santa Fe National Cemetery.
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Memories and Condolences
for Samuel Griffith
Sponsored by Hood Mortuary - Durango.
Harold Mills
September 28, 2025
Remembering Sam brings back many warm memories of our time together at Maryland and later in Germany. Sam was a fine officer and a loyal friend.
Harold Mills
September 28, 2022
Great guy generous friend.
Harold Mills Maryland Class of 1965
Harold Mills
September 28, 2021
Sam was a tremendous guy, great laugh, great leader and an unselfish friend. We were classmates at Maryland graduating in 1965 and participated in AFROTC where Sam was a Cadet Colonel.
Harold Mills
September 28, 2019
Thank you fir the reminder of Dans passing. I am fortunate to have known a great man like Sam and to still be alive.
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Rix Mills
April 19, 2018
I knew Sam at the University of Maryland where we particpated in many cadet activities. He was a natural leader that had a full measure of disipline and kindness towards everyone. I remember him especially for his easy way and eternal good humor. God speed big guy and see you on the other side!
Sam Griffith as Cadet Commander, Cadet Leadership Academy, University of Maryland
Rix Mills
April 18, 2018
Harold Mills
April 18, 2018
Leonora and family,
My deepest sympathy with your loss of Sam. There was a notice in the University of Maryland ODK newsletter I received this week which caught my eye about Sam passing.
I knew Sam in AFROTC at Maryland and we served together for a couple of years at HQ USAFE in Wiesbaden, Germany in the 1966-1969 period. I also saw him a few times later when I was in DC and he was working for the Federal Reserve.
Sam was a good friend to his friends and a very talented person.
We had a lot of fun together since he had a great sense of humor.
I can hear his laugh!!!
Harold Mills
Columbia, SC
[email protected]
Sandy Pratt
October 20, 2017
Dear Leonora, I was so shocked and saddened to read of Sam's passing. He was such a sweet and kind man with a great bass voice, and everyone in I Cantori liked him so much. God bless you at this difficult time.
October 13, 2017
Leonora,
Sandy & I were truly saddened to read Sam's obituary,
as emailed us by Leslie Mulford. Please accept our condolences and prayers that Sam is now in a more comfortable home with God. We miss you and hope life with your stepchildren and grandchildren is providing much joy to your life.
Sandy & Bob Rice, Monterey, CA
October 12, 2017
May you find peace and comfort in the wonderful gift God has given us mentioned in John 3:16 during this time of stress. Draw close to God and he will draw close to you.
~ The Lofton Family
Sally Robb Griffith
October 7, 2017
I pray for the peace of his soul.
Richard
October 7, 2017
Deepest sadness for the loss of one who, was truly dedicated to enrich the lives of many.
May your family be given God's strength & guidance as he only can.
Our prayers are with your loved ones.
Janet Holsclaw Kerans
October 6, 2017
Sam was a big guy with a big heart and a friendly manner -- when we were all seniors at High Point he always seemed older somehow. Maybe it was that he was more mature than most of the rest of us. I was privileged to sing in Concert Choir with him, and I remember going with him to a Roger Miller concert at Cole Field House.
So sorry to hear of his passing. He was a very special person whom I always admired. Much love to his family and to all whose lives he touched.
October 6, 2017
Very sad to hear of Sam's passing. I remember Sam as one of the nicest classmates of my high school years. A leader by nature, an example to others and always kind and friendly. When ever I think of those days Sam is always part of the memories.
Condolences to his family and many friends.
Fondly, Arie Slot
Fort Myers, FLorida
Peru, Vermont
Judy Domchick-Hall
October 5, 2017
So sorry to hear about Sam's passing. He was a stand-out at High Point -- football, Summit Singers, Concert Choir, Hi-Lites and a fellow Greenbelter. Prayers for his family.
Kathi Millar
October 5, 2017
My heartfelt condolences to Sam's family. I remember him well from HPHS. He was truly one of the nice guys and I loved his beautiful voice. God Bless.
Jeff Bridges
October 5, 2017
Very sorry to hear about Sam's passing. I'll always remember Sam as being one of the best that HP had to offer. Sincere condolences to the family.
Jeff Bridges
October 5, 2017
My heartfelt condolences to Sam's family. I remember him well from HPHS. He was truly one of the nice guys and I loved his beautiful voice. God Bless.
Charles Reavis
October 5, 2017
Sam was my closest friend growing up; from Beltsville Elementary, Boy Scouts, HPHS, Summit Singers, Concert Choir, UMD. His super kind spirit reflected that of his parents who were wonderful, generous people. Sam was a tackle on the school football team who didn't mind making a crunching hit but would often help the opponent back up to make sure he wasn't hurt! Sincere blessings to the family - Sam will be missed.
Dick LaGrone
October 5, 2017
My deepest sympathies to Sam's family. We went to High Point together and I have a lot of memories that we shared. Funny but the one that sticks out the most is when I spent the night at his home in Greenbelt and his mom fixed pound cake she fried in butter and served with ice cream. To this day I am hooked on that dessert and every time I eat it, I think of him and his mother. I probably always will.
Jerry Behrens
October 5, 2017
Condolences to the family. I have great memories of standing next to Sam at High Point High School Summit Singers and Concert Choir. My prayers are with the family and friends that God will provide comfort.
Beverly Parsons Sams
October 5, 2017
I remember Sam as a very sweet and friends guy at High Point, and I send my blessings and prayers to his family!
Bonnie Mayo Selleck
October 4, 2017
I was saddened to learn of the passing of "Big Sam", a classmate and fellow singer at High Point. Sam and I sang in Summit Singers and Concert Choir together. With fond memories I offer prayers for comfort; may the happy memories you share bring peace.
October 4, 2017
Condolences to family. I have fond memories of Sam during our high school years.
Joyce Everhart Hatch
October 4, 2017
I was fortunate to attend classes with Sam at High Point, and have special memories of a really friendly guy, who was a great singer. Coincidentally, my husband Fred also remembers him as a great fellow employee at the Federal Reserve Board. We both send our condolences to his family. Judy Simon Horowitz
John Feldmann
October 4, 2017
I am very sorry to hear Sam Passed away. He was a wonderful friend and classmate at High High School, and I will miss him. I will pray for the repose of Sam's soul and for his family.
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