MST. SGT. Eugene J. "Gene" Griffin

U.S. Veteran

MST. SGT. Eugene J. "Gene" Griffin, 91, of Bloomingdale, Georgia, passed away on Veterans Day, November 11, 2025

Gene is going to be missed by his wife and the love of his life of 70 years, Rosa J. "Jackie" Griffin; children, Kenneth E. "OX" Griffin (Linda), Denise Jordan, and Teri Forte (Mike); grandchildren, Jennifer Weathers and Forest Cross; great-grandchildren, McKenzie Cross, Robbie Weathers (Linda), and Jared Weathers; sisters, Patty Burgess (Marvin) and Diane Middleton (Harrison-deceased), as well as a number of nieces and nephews. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Felix J. Griffin and Willie Mae Brumitt Griffin, a granddaughter, Jacquelyn Forte, as well as seven siblings.

Gene enlisted in the United States Army in 1951 and traveled through the ranks before retiring as a Master Seargent in 1971 from the First Calvary Division. While in the military he served tours in Vietnam and Korea, receiving the Bronze Star, Air Medal and numerous other medals. After his military career he became the ROTC Instructor for three years at Auburn University where he led the Pershing Rifle Drill Team. He was a member of the Sons of Confederacy and in 2014, was the oldest person to walk in the Veterans Day Parade. He settled in the Bloomingdale/Faulkville area in 1999. He later was employed with Aramark for several years before going to work for Rushing Electric Company before retiring at age 77. He was a member of Central Baptist Church, enjoyed golfing and watching the Atlanta Braves.

The visitation will be on Friday, November 14, 2025 from 11 a.m. until 12 noon at the funeral home. The funeral to honor Gene's life will follow at 12 noon in the chapel of the funeral home with Brother Johnny Bryan officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Effingham Memorial Gardens.

Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Homes – WEST CHATHAM CHAPEL – 901 West Highway 80 – Pooler, Georgia (912) 748-2444