Eugene Donald Griffith, USMA graduate Class of 1960, was born in Marietta, GA, on Sep 5, 1938. Son of Eugene D. and Clara Griffith, he was raised in Marietta and later in Perry, FL. He had one sister, Martha. Classmate and friend Dick Healy stated, "From his first days at West Point, Don stood out as someone a little different. His natural intelligence was obvious, but not so obvious at first was the wry sense of humor that shaped his perception of the world. This ‘laid back’ attitude, coupled with dependability, made him a natural for the role of company honor rep, a task he devoted himself to through graduation."

Don married Janie Mitchell at the West Point Chapel on Jun 9, 1960. Together they had three children: Jennifer, Rachel, and Douglas. Don selected Infantry as his branch and was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg, NC. Enroute, he completed the Infantry Officer Basic Course as well as Airborne and Ranger Training at Ft. Benning, GA. From 1961 through 1963, he served as Platoon Leader, Weapons Platoon Leader, and Company Executive Officer with the 1st Airborne Battle Group, 503d Parachute Infantry, and later as Aide to Assistant Division Commander.

Jennifer, Don’s oldest daughter, shared a warm story about her father and mother. Her dad was on a tour in Vietnam over the Christmas holiday; so, instead of having Christmas on the traditional date, Janie put the holiday on hold to wait for her husband’s return. She kept the tree up and presents unwrapped until Don came home.

Sadly, Don and Janie divorced in 1971. In 1972, Don resigned his commission in the Army as a major. A series of medical issues that were later diagnosed as bipolar disorder robbed Don of the military career he dreamed of, a dream that led him to West Point and later to serve his country. That condition, and subsequent treatment, would largely shape his remaining years. At the same time, his illness in no way limited the many successes Don experienced after leaving the Army.

Don’s civilian career took him to Houston, New Orleans, Tampa, and Atlanta where he worked in the development and property management fields from 1972 to 1985. In 1985, he fell from one of his building projects and broke his neck. After a long recovery, Don made a big change in his career path joining county government in the transportation field. Between 1986 and 2001, Don’s business savvy helped to launch a new transit system in his community and led him to very successful experiences both as a planner and later as the transit director with Cobb Community Transit in Marietta, GA. This is where he met his wife, Lynne. He also worked for the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority until he retired in 2002.

Don married Linda M. (Lynne) Christian on Sep 20, 1995, after working together for six years. Lynne shared, "I met Don for the first time when he interviewed me for a position with the transit system. Both Don and I believed we had met at some point earlier in our lives. We later learned we were both in Tampa at the same time and the company he worked for was actually one of my accounts. Possibly our paths had crossed.

From the moment we met, we had a strong connection professionally and personally. I grew to respect and trust him when he gave me the daunting task of resolving a major bus manufacturing failure that had occurred at the bus plant. I was inexperienced and new to maintenance and vehicle issues, yet he knew I could do the job. I knew I loved him when I observed this gentle, caring man attend to and stand by our boss Rachel as she battled breast cancer. When she died in early 1992, Don made a commitment to look after her daughter Andrea, which he did and she remained in Don’s life until he died on Sep 27, 2012.

Although Don’s illness impacted the quality of his and our life together at times, he was always loyal, compassionate, and loving towards me and my sons, Dennis and Andrew, throughout the 17 years we were married. Don enriched my life. One of the greatest treasures he gave me was an opportunity to experience West Point at his 50th Class Reunion and to meet his E-2 classmates. I loved his mother and continue to think of his sister Marti as my own sister. Marti is a loyal and devoted sister and was at his side through all of his medical challenges until he died. I know his lovely daughter Jennifer and was so thankful to get to know Rachel and Douglas. Don shared Andrea with me whom we both loved as a daughter.

Don was my booster club, always supportive, always proud. I am so happy that each of the kids, Jennifer, Rachel, Douglas, Dennis, Andrew, and Andrea were able to talk to Don before he passed. He experienced great joy in learning he had a granddaughter, Lucy. He died finally at peace knowing his sister Marti, the children, friends, and family loved him. It was as if the entire family had all come home."

— Lynne Griffith & Dick Healy ’60