Don Tracy Griffin

Sept. 28, 1934 - July 30, 2015

Don Tracy Griffin of Pelham, AL went to be with his Lord and Savior peacefully at his home on Thursday, July 30, at the age of 80. He was born in Akron, Ohio on September 28, 1934, to Chester and Odell Griffin who had each gone there from their homes in Alabama and Tennessee to work at the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. as many others did during a time when good jobs were hard to find. Don and his older brother Ben Griffin, now deceased, returned with their parents to Alabama when Don was 6 years old, and settled in Green Valley near Southside. His sisters Nancy Lovvorn(Robert) and Sheltie Hortenberry, and brother, John Griffin were born there.

Don attended Southside High School with many dear friends who have remained close through the years. He played football for the Southside Panthers, and was voted “Mr. Southside” in his senior year of high school.

Upon graduation from high school in 1954, he joined the U. S. Army and became a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division. After his tour of duty, he was unable to find employment in the Etowah County area, and decided to return to Akron where he was hired at the same Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company where his parents had met and worked previously. One of his co-workers there invited him to his church where he met his loving wife of 55 years, Linda SirLouis Griffin. They were married in 1960 and their first child, Lori Michelle Allen (Wayne) was born there.

A true Alabamian at heart, Don always wanted to return home but was unable to transfer from Goodyear/Akron to Goodyear/Gadsden due to Union rules. With the help of a dear childhood friend, Sorrell Wesson, in 1965 he was able to move back with his family to Etowah County where he was employed as a milkman until he found his ultimate career in sales of Welding Supplies and gases. His son, Gregory Jacque Griffin, (Christy) and daughter Amber Juliette Peterson (Thomas) were born in Southside. In 1975, Don was transferred to Pelham, Alabama, where he continued his career in Welding Supply sales until his retirement.

Don is also survived by four precious grandchildren, Katherine and Nicholas Griffin (Monica Glenos) and Mitchell and Brent Peterson (Amber).

Don was a great Crimson Tide fan, and he and Linda attended many Bama games with friends through the years. During vacations, they always loved traveling together, especially throughout the historic areas of the South.

He was a truly loving father, devoted husband, and great friend who will be greatly missed.

The celebration of Don’s life will be at 4pm on Monday, August 3, 2015 at Southern Heritage Funeral Home, with a visitation beginning at 3pm.

Mr. Griffin’s burial will be at Alabama National Cemetery on Tuesday morning at 9:30am, with a police escorted procession departing from Southern Heritage at 8:45am.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.