Chuck was born November 29, 1945 in Pasadena, California, the son of Robert and Ione Griffith. He graduated from Ribault High School in 1963 and received training at MIT to become a successful National Accounts Manager before retiring from AT&T in 1989. Afterwards he took on a similar position with Sprint for five years where he attained the distinction of being part of the Pinnacle Club and Achievers’ Club. He was an avid Florida Gators fan and loved watching them play football, basketball and baseball. Chuck’s drive, determination and perseverance helped him to become a black belt in Tang Soo Do karate and to finish races which included the River Run, the Disney Half Marathon and local 5Ks. He rescued several cats and dogs. He loved to hike in the national parks, play golf, fish for bass in the river and surf fish for whiting at Hanna Park. He also loved to mountain bike, NASCAR and drive high performance cars. Chuck had an artistic eye and, along with his handyman skills and ability to visualize, created a beautiful home for his wife of 32 years, Stephanie. Chuck is survived by his brother Dennis (Rita), and by his first marriage to Evelyn Baker (Dale), mother of his son Vince (Kellie), and daughters Julie Stanton (Brad) and Angie Byerly, many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Chuck was a great dancer, which included clogging, beach bop and square dancing. He was gifted musician first playing the violin and then the clarinet and baritone saxophone in the Ribault High School band. He was also in the symphonic and jazz bands and became student conductor in his senior year. Chuck also sang in Ribault’s chorus and later worked as minister of music in many local churches on an interim basis while they searched for full time directors. In 1980, Chuck became the founding director of the Big Orange Barbershop Chorus. He produced, choreographed and directed many shows at UNF, the Florida Theatre, the Performing Arts Center and other local venues. He brought his chorus to such a high level of quality sound and creative stage presence, the Big O won SPEBSQSA state competitions many times and qualified to compete at the international level. Chuck also became a sound judge, judging chorus and quartet contests in various cities in the US and Stockholm, Sweden and was sought after by other choruses and quartets for coaching, traveling to London and Ottawa to share his talent at no charge.
A Celebration of Life will be held on May 8, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin, 11801 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, Florida 32223. In lieu of flowers please make donations to The Michael J. Fox Foundation.
Arrangements by Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin, 11801 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, FL (904) 288-0025.
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