Marion Griffith

Marion Sherman Griffith Jr., age 87, passed away on June 2, 2018, in Sun City, Texas.  Marion Griffith is survived by his son, Marion Sherman Griffith III, Sherman’s wife Dawn, and their children Justin Griffith and Ben Griffith of Southlake, Texas; and his daughter, Sheryl Griffith Shewell, and her son Corey Shewell of Bastrop, Texas.  He is preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Mary Lynn Griffith, of Dallas, Texas.

Marion was born on October 19, 1930 in Austin, Texas to Sherman and Myrtle Griffith.  He graduated from The University of Texas with a Masters in Music.  After graduation, he served in the Air Force flying C-124 transport aircraft in the Alaskan and Pacific theaters.  After the Air Force he was hired at Braniff Airlines.  He spent most of his time at Braniff in management and was the Director of Flight Standard when he was asked to manage the Concorde program. He was the first US airline pilot to be type rated in Concorde.  After Braniff, Marion worked as the President of the US subsidiary of Rediffusion, a British flight simulator manufacturer.

He was devoted to his hobby of Soaring and aviation, serving as the President of The Soaring Society of America, was the principal organizer of the first SSA Convention, was a founder of the Dallas Gliding Association which started and funded the Johnson Flight Tests, was a director of Southwest Soaring (a commercial Texas soaring center), state and national open class record holder, and regional and national open class competitor.

Marion, our Dad, will be missed by many who loved him, enjoyed his stories, admired his achievements, and listened to his council.

There will be no formal memorial service per his wishes.  Sherman and Sheryl will hold a service in the sky for him.