Thomas Chiles Griffin Sr.

FLORENCE - Thomas Chiles Griffin, Sr., 84, died Wednesday, December 24, 2008, in a Columbia hospital after an illness.

He was born in Lynchburg, SC, a son of the late Rob and Mary Perrin Griffin. He graduated from Florence High School and the University of South Carolina. He also graduated from the General Motors Institute of Technology.

Mr. Griffin was employed by Atlantic Coastline Railroad from 1940 to 1942, and served in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1942 to 1946. Upon the completion of his military duties, he joined his father and brother, Bobby Griffin, at Griffin Motors, Florence’s Oldsmobile dealership until 1962. He was also the owner and driver of three 1950s vintage Oldsmobile race cars.

In the 60s and early 70s, Mr. Griffin was the director of Florence Regional Airport. He was the founder and director of the Florence Air and Missile Museum and Griffin Motors Antiques and Museum. He was also the owner and operator of the driving range and the Putt-Putt Golf Course at the airport.

Mr. Griffin served on the Board of Directors of Bruce Hospital and Carolinas Hospital System. He was also a trustee for Doctors Bruce and Lee Foundation. He was a member of the Florence VFW, American Legion Post 1, Sons of Confederate Veterans - Pee Dee Rifles Camp #1419, South Carolina Historical Society, and was a charter member of the Florence Country Club.

Mr. Griffin was predeceased by his wife, Elizabeth West Griffin.

Survivors include son, Thomas Chiles Griffin, Jr., and his wife, Elizabeth Dawson Griffin, of Columbia, and their five sons, Thomas Chiles Griffin, III, of Austin, TX, Robert Dawson Griffin of Columbia, Lt. Daniel West Griffin of Fort Stewart, GA, John Gilchrist Griffin of Appleton, WI, and William Perrin Griffin of Columbia; son, Robert Marshall Griffin and his wife, Caroline Sherman Griffin, of Columbia, and their daughter, Miriam Perrin Griffin, also of Columbia; daughter, Mary Elizabeth Griffin of Charleston, SC, and her son, Joseph Allen Lewis, III, of Florence.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

The family of Mr. Griffin would like to express special thanks to Dr. Carey Hite and Palliative Care at Palmetto Health in Columbia, SC.

Waters-Powell Funeral Home of Florence is assisting the family of Mr. Griffin.