Roll Call Tribute

Lt. Colonel Doyle Ray Griffin, USAF (Ret.)
April 30, 1929 - September 6, 2022

Lt. Colonel Doyle Ray Griffin, age 93, was born in Midland, Texas. He is the son of Van Buren Griffin and Trudie Belle Lantron Griffin.

Doyle was accepted into Texas A&M College on an athletic scholarship and joined the Class of '51 Texas A&M Corps of Cadets. He earned a Bachelor Degree in Architectural Engineering.

While at Texas A&M, he was commissioned to the United States Air Force. After graduating from Texas A&M, he accepted a position with Ma Bell Telephone Company, where he quickly earned a solid reputation in the industry. The Telephone Company offered him a number of opportunities throughout his career including NORAD where he assisted in engineering a switch station, power plant and security system.

Doyle was called to active duty by The United States Air Force in July of 1953 and was sent to Seoul, Korea as part of the Corps of Engineers 840th Environmental Advisory Board to design and construct a landing strip for military aircraft. Upon completion of his active-duty assignment, he returned to his civilian job in New York City, then transferred to Sacramento while continuing to serve in the USAF Reserves. Throughout his career in the Air Force Reserves, he was sent to several locations such as Germany, Italy, Alaska, and the Panama Canal. By good fortune, he met Jean Chase, a young Registered Nurse, during a business trip to Seattle. Their relationship blossomed and he would travel 750 miles every couple of weeks to visit his sweetheart. After eight months, he proposed and they were married on December 20, 1958. They lived in San Mateo and Citrus Heights, CA until moving to San Antonio in 1968 to continue his career with Southwestern Bell through retirement.

Family was significantly important to Doyle. He was thankful to his parents for raising him in a faith-based home with an abundance of love. He admired his father’s strong work ethic and unwavering commitment to his family. He learned many carpentry skills from his father as a young man and used these skills throughout his career in the construction field. He dearly loved his family and he regularly praised his beloved Jean for being a wonderful wife and mother. His greatest joys were his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and his alma mater, the FIGHTIN’ TEXAS AGGIES. GIG’EM!

Doyle had a love of travel. In his retirement years, he and Jean shared many trips abroad such as Egypt, Greece, Australia, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and many other destinations. He loved history and spent countless hours along their journey exploring the countryside and landmarks. His children chuckled when he insisted on stopping at every “hysterical” marker on the highway, every telephone company building and every Air Force Base.

Despite battling years of illnesses and hospitalizations, Doyle continued to embrace life and enjoyed visiting with friends, building relationships and sharing stories. He leaves us with many life lessons, especially his unwavering love for our Lord and Savior, family, friends and country.

Doyle is preceded in death by his parents; Jean Marlene Chase Griffin, his wife of 62 years; siblings John Oliver Griffin and Vannette Griffin.

He is survived by three daughters, Pamela Bienek-Harling (William), Cheri Griffin, Teresa Griffin; grandchildren Chloe (Josh, daughters Olivia & Isabel), Shawn (Joan), Chase (Madison, son Griffin), Connor and Blaine (Lisa).

In lieu of flowers, a donation in his loving memory can be made to the American Heart Association, The Association of Former Students of Texas A&M or a charity of your choice.

Visitation from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Sunday, September 25, 2022, at Porter Loring Mortuary North, 2102 N Loop 1604E, San Antonio TX 78232.

FUNERAL SERVICE:

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2022  10:30 AM

SHEPHERD OF THE HILLS LUTHERAN CHURCH, 6914 Wurzbach Rd, SAN ANTONIO TX 78240

Interment at Ft. Sam Houston with Full Military Honors at 1:00 PM following the service at Shepherd of the Hills.