John Henry Griffin

John was born in Shelby, North Carolina on January 15, 1935, to Walter Ambrose Griffin and Nancy Mae Durham. He passed away peacefully on February 25, 2025 after a short-term illness.

When John was young his family moved to Alexandria, Virginia where he graduated from Parker Gray High School in 1954. He served four years in The United States Navy from 1954-1958. In 1963 he graduated with a BS Degree in Mathematics, Physics and Astronomy. In 1967, he graduated with an MS in Mathematics and Astronomy from Howard University. In 1973 he received a PhD Degree in Applied Mathematics from The University of Maryland in College Park.

John retired in February of 2000 after 30 years as a mathematician for the NASA Space Program. In the interim while working for NASA, he taught mathematics at Howard University. After retiring from NASA he became a full time tenured Professor of Mathematics at the University of The District of Columbia in Washington, DC where he taught upper level mathematics as well as being Chair of The Associate University Mathematics Department. He later was The Director of the Mathematics IT and Engineering Science Division of The UDC College. He retired from The University of The District of Columbia August 15, 2023 and moved to Little River SC with his family.

John was preceded in death by both of his parents, a brother Walter Oreal Griffin, a sister Patsy Moore and a brother Thomas Griffin, also two children, Tatiania Griffin and Patrice Griffin. John is survived by his wife Mary Lou Griffin of Little River SC, a daughter Nancy L. Griffin of Alexandria Va., a stepdaughter Marisa Pettigrew (Mike) of North Myrtle Beach, a stepson Terry Childers, Jr. (John) of Charlotte NC. One sister Joyce Griffin Shaw of Cincinnati OH; three step grandchildren Cameron, Rachel and Matthew and a host of nephews and nieces.