Russell E. Griffith, Jr.

Russell E. Griffith, Jr., died July 12, 2017 in Sarasota, Florida after a brief illness. The son of the late Russell E. and Mary Kathryn Griffith, he was born Sept. 15, 1923 in Akron, Ohio. He graduated from Huntington High School and earned a bachelor's degree from Huntington College in 1947. Russell and the former Marilyn M. Kauff were united in marriage in Huntington, Indiana on September 28, 1946. In 1948 the couple relocated to Oxford, Ohio and became associated with Miami University. He earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Miami and a doctorate from Indiana University. Dr. Griffith taught at Miami University for 40 years and was Professor Emeritus of Zoology-Physiology. He represented Miami University in establishing Wright State School of Medicine in Dayton, Ohio. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and later as an officer in the Naval Reserve Unit in Hamilton, Ohio, including three years as Commanding Officer of the unit. He has been a member of Kiwanis for more than 50 years, and served as President and Lt. Governor of the Ohio Fifth Division. Dr. Griffith has been awarded Citizen of the Year in Oxford in 1966, Most Outstanding and Effective Teacher at Miami in 1971, and along with his wife, Parents of the Year at Miami in 1979. Dr. Griffith is survived by his wife, Marilyn, of Sarasota, Florida, children Sondra Witherington (Roy), Sarasota, Florida; Judith Ransom (Scott), Winchester, Tennessee; Barbara Hottle (Robert), Hillsboro, Ohio; David Griffith (Elaine), Maitland, Florida, and Russell Griffith III (Cynthia), Encinitas, California; grandchildren Lisa Torres, Jason Swift, Matthew Averbeck, Tracy and Audra Ransom, Whitney Cowles, Laura Brooker, Allison Gabbard, Susanna Faraday, Michael and Daniel Hottle, Rachael and David Griffith, Mitchell and Connor Griffith; his brother, Harold D. Griffith (Beverly), sister-in-law Dorothy Hart and numerous great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Col. C.W. Griffith. Visitation with the family will be Friday July 14, 2017, 7PM at Toale Brothers Funeral Homes, Colonial Chapel. Services and burial will be held Tuesday, July 18, 2017 in Oxford, Ohio. Rememberances to the charity of your choice.

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Russell E. Griffith, Jr.

September 15, 1923 - July 12, 2017