Thomas Eugene Griffin, III's Obituary
Dr. Thomas E. Griffin, 76, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 29th, 2022, in Pensacola, Florida, following complications due to COVID.
Dr. Griffin is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Eugene Griffin, Jr. and Hilda Gottschald; his first wife, Elizabeth (Liz) Jeane Taylor Griffin; and his son, Emil Paul Griffin.
He is survived by his wife, Cli Ann McGehee Pittman Griffin; his son, Dr. John Thomas Griffin; his daughter-in-law, Sharon Leonard Griffin; and his stepchildren and their spouses: Brina Pittman Leroux and her husband Gilles; Amy Pittman and her husband Patrick Reeves; and Geoffrey Pittman and his wife Alexandra. He is also survived by his step-grandchildren: Alexi and André Leroux; Camden Pittman; Austin Griffin and his wife Lori; Timothy Witt and his wife Amber; Brandon Witt and his wife Cayla; and Lauren Broussard and her husband David; and by his step-great-grandchildren Noah, Liam, Lizzy, Benjamin, and Amelia. He is survived as well by his sisters and their spouses: Paula Domingue; Myra Schwinn and her husband Roger; Freida Barousse; and Del Prejean and her husband John.
Dr. Griffin was born on September 6th, 1945, in Crowley, Louisiana. He graduated with honors from the University of Southwest Louisiana with a pre-Med degree in 1966 and from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in 1970. He entered active-duty service in the U.S. Army with the rank of Captain, completing an internship and pediatric residency at the Brook Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. He was then promoted to Major in 1973 and served as Chief of Pediatrics at the Ft. Polk Military Hospital until 1976, when he received an honorable discharge from the military. He next opened a private pediatric practice in DeRidder, Louisiana, as a board-certified pediatrician and fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics (FAAP).
Until his retirement in 2012, Dr. Griffin continued his pediatric practice in DeRidder, where he was known and loved throughout the community. He saved many children’s lives and provided medical care for children who were underprivileged or victims of abuse and neglect. After retirement, he continued working part-time for Children’s International Medical Groups, serving under-privileged children in Southeast Louisiana.
Outside of work, Thomas enjoyed hunting, fishing, photography, shooting, traveling with his wife Cli Ann, and operating his amateur radio station (call sign N5BDD) for over 30 years. He was active in the DeRidder Seventh-day Adventist Church, regularly preaching or teaching Bible classes, and after moving to Pensacola in 2013, in the University Parkway Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Dr. Griffin, affectionately known to many as “Doc,” will be remembered for his kindness, generosity, humor, and the non-judgmental approach he took in his relationships. He had a huge heart and never hesitated to go the extra mile to care for the children placed in his care. He deeply loved his family, enjoying hunting and fishing outings with Emil and spending time with John, and faithfully caring for his first wife Liz throughout a long battle with brain cancer. He adored his second wife Cli Ann, with whom he was married in 2013, and he embraced his stepchildren and grandchildren as his own. He will be greatly missed by all those who knew him.
Funeral service for Dr. Griffin will be held on Friday, February 4, 2022, at 2:00 P.M. in the Chapel of Labby Memorial Funeral Home in DeRidder, Louisiana with Pastor Hillis Jeffries III, Pastor of the DeRidder Seventh Day Adventist Church, officiating. A viewing for Dr. Griffin will be held on Friday, February 4, 2022, from 11:00 A.M. until to 2:00 P.M. at Labby Memorial Funeral Home. For people at high-risk of developing COVID complications or unable to travel to DeRidder, a livestream of the funeral service will be available on www.facebook.com/labbymemorial. A private graveside service will be held at another date at the Maxie Cemetery in Crowley, Louisiana with Military Honors. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Labby Memorial Funeral Home of DeRidder, Louisiana.
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