Joseph L. Griffith

American Patriot Passes On The Reverend Joseph Lorin Griffith of Bowie, MD, devoted husband to Barbara Griffith, his wife of 16 years, departed this life quietly at their home on Monday, February 15, 2010. Known as "Joe" to all his friends, he was born April 4, 1932 in Cincinnati, Ohio to the late Lorin and Lois Griffith. Academic excellence won him entry into and graduation from prestigious Walnut Hills High School in Cincinnati. He then worked for the city's park service before volunteering for the U.S. Air Force at age 18. After active duty in Korea during the Korean War and in Japan, Joe joined the U.S. Army Reserve, serving stateside until the mid 1960s. Upon return to civilian life he provided detective services in Washington, D.C., and afterwards was appointed to manage photographic materiel at the U.S. Naval Surface Weapons Center until his retirement in 1987. Joe was converted to Christianity during his early military service. He attended the Washington Bible College, and eventually was ordained a Baptist minister, teaching and laboring in the Word until late in the final year of his life. His great depth of knowledge of Scripture was well known; he freely shared its wisdom, inspiration and comfort with the public at large and in each of many churches he attended, including (among others) Belair Church of Christ, Grace Baptist Church and Calvary Baptist Church all in Bowie, MD, Clinton Gospel Chapel in Clinton, MD, New Hampshire Ave. Gospel Chapel near White Oak, MD and most recently Bethel Baptist Church in Glen Burnie, MD. In the mid-1960s he became scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 719 in Kentland, MD and served afterwards as counselor for the Indian Lore, Rabbit Raising and Photography merit badges. He was the founding scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 1688 in Bowie, MD, serving multiple terms in that capacity, and maintaining his ties with the troop and troop members for many years thereafter. Joe enjoyed the great outdoors, including shooting sports, fishing, camping and (in his young adult days) riding rodeo broncos and bulls. He was elected to 2 terms as president of one of America's largest trapper's organizations and was instrumental in modernizing its structure and operating methods. During the 1970s Joe was a local favorite as both writer and orator in the Toastmaster's International public speakers' organization. In 1956 he married the late Doris (Quillian) Griffith (1936-1986) and is survived by their children Timothy Griffith (Virginia), Nathan Griffith (West Virginia), Jessica Steele (Washington, D.C.), and granddaughter Xaviera Steele. Joe is also survived by his brother Jack Griffith (Florida), by his step-children Clifford Van Vliet Jr. (North Carolina) and grandchildren Clifford lll with great grandchild Lucas and Joya with great grandchildren Richard, Kyle, Kameron, Kayla and Kayden, Daniel Van Vliet (Maryland) and grandchildren Nathan, Brian, and Rachel with great grandchild Kira, Cheryl Van Vliet (Maryland) and Robert Van Vliet (Pennsylvania) and grandchild Katie. Now absent from the body, Joe is present with the Lord. Family will receive friends at the family owned BEALL FUNERAL HOME, 6512 NW Crain Hwy. (Rte. 3 South), Bowie, MD on Sunday, February 21, 2010 from 2:00-4:00pm and on Monday, Feb. 22, 2010 from 10:00am until service time, 11:00am. Interment will be on February 25, 2010, 2:00pm, at Maryland Veterans Cemetery, 11301 Crain Hwy., Cheltenham, MD. If desired, contributions may be made to Boy Scout Pack 1688, c/o James Yon, 12323 Manship Lane, Bowie, MD 20715.