LANCASTER, SCMr. Thomas Melton Griffin, age 81, died Saturday, March 19, 2016 at Springs Memorial Hospital. He was born May 23, 1934 in Union, SC, the son of the late Edward W. Griffin and Willie Horne Griffin and was the husband of the late Mary Montgolf Griffin, whom he loved dearly. After the loss of his wife, he enjoyed visiting and sitting at her grave. Mr. Griffin served honorably in the United States Navy for 13 years and served in the Korean War. He retired from Allied Barton and Fluor Daniel. He was a Mason with Abney Lodge in Kershaw. He loved fishing, crossword puzzles, watching Family Feud and playing with his dog, Mitzi. Mr. Griffin was a member at Canaan Freewill Baptist Church.
Surviving to cherish his memory are three sons, Donald Jerome Martin and his wife, Shawn of Sanford, MI, Walter Steven Martin and his wife, Chikako of Bremerton, WA, and Charles Anthony Tony Martin and his wife, Karen of Lancaster; a daughter, Donna Kay Whitaker of Lancaster; a sister, Margaret G. Sullivan of Union, SC; a daughter-in-law, Beuna Martin; twelve grandchildren; twenty-one great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Mr. Griffin was preceded in death by a son, James William Martin; four sisters, Elsie Beckham, Lola Rebels, Ruth Wix and Susie Corley; his step-mother, Margaret Cooper Griffin; and a son-in-law, Wayne Whitaker.
The Celebration of Life Funeral Service for Mr. Griffin will be 3:00 pm Tuesday, March 22, 2016 at Immanuel Baptist Church by Rev. Tim Anderson and Rev. Steve Martin. Burial with military honors will follow at Lancaster Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, from 2:00 -3:00 pm Tuesday, at Immanuel Baptist Church and suggest memorial contributions be made to American Cancer Society, Lancaster County Relay for Life, 128 Stonemark Lane, Columbia, SC 29210 or Lancaster County Council on Aging, PO Box 1296, Lancaster, SC 29721.
An online guest register is available on the obituaries page at www.burgessfunerals.com.
Burgess Funeral Home and Crematory, 1800 Charlotte Highway, Lancaster is caring for the family of Mr. Griffin.