Harold L. Griffith

Harold Lloyd Griffith, 90, of Orlando passed away July 15, 2014. Harold was born in Phoenixville, PA, December 27, 1923. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Estelle Friday Griffith of Orlando; daughters Linda M. Griffith of Rockville, MD, and Suzie (Jeff) O’Hara of Windermere; grandsons Sean (Debora) O’Hara and Ryan O’Hara, and great-granddaughter Micaela O’Hara, all of Orlando. He enlisted in the US Army Air Corps as an Aviation Cadet Pilot 1943-45, and was recalled to the US Air Force in 1949, retiring as a Lt. Col. in 1968. He served as a Weather Officer (meteorologist) and Chief Scientist for the Air Weather Service, with oversight of manpower for USAF forecasting stations, development of automated weather communications systems utilizing aircraft and weather balloons, and subsequently satellite instrumentation, tracking stations and computerized data processing systems worldwide. He was a two-time recipient of the US Air Force Commendation Medal. In 1973 he joined the Department of Engineering Technology, Florida Technological University, later University of Central Florida, Orlando, serving as Chairman 1973-1976, and retiring as Professor Emeritus in 1989. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday July 18 at 2:00PM at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 4851 S. Apopka-Vineland Rd., Orlando, FL 32819. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Luke’s UM Church. Arrangements are entrusted to Woodlawn Memorial Park & Funeral Home, Gotha, FL. Condolences may be offered at www.woodlawnfuneralhomegotha.com.