James Russell Griffith

Mr. Griffith passed away on Thursday at Envoy Nursing Home in Denton, MD. A long time resident at his Greenbrier Farm in Ridgely, MD and winter home in Belleview, FL, he was an Electrician, Farmer and Musician, but most notably as an individual that gave back to his community and was always there to help someone in need, especially with their electrical service. He was a Charter and a Life Time Member of the Ridgely Lions Club and also one of the first recipients for the Melvin Jones Award. He was the driving force for the Ridgely Centenniel Celebration in 1967 and one of the main supporters for the Strawberry Festival, now held every year during Memorial Day Weekend and for many years installing the Christmas Lights in Ridgely, along with installation and wiring for the lights at Martin Sutton Park. He was also a long time member of the Ridgely United Methodist Church and the Caroline County Country Club. He enjoyed playing music and singing. A proficient Tenor Saxophone, Bass, Piano and Clarinet player, he had several bands, the Blue Notes and Russ Griffith and the Cavaliers, but most importantly he loved his family, playing golf, dancing, eating crabs, hunting, fishing and living life to its fullest. He was married 52 years and survived by his wife Becky, the former Rebecca Ann Boone Saulsbury, four children Kathleen Griffith McLain, Charles Larry Griffith and his wife Barbara, James David Griffith and his wife Carol, Susan Griffith; and two step-children Gwen Eskridge and her husband Doug Eskridge and Todd Fulson Cooper and his wife Carolyn Ohle. In addition he is survived by six grandchildren Christine Marie McLain, Sandra Lynn Watson, James Ronald Griffith, Bradford Kemp Eskridge, Danielle Renee Eskridge and Allison Louise Eskridge; five great-grandchildren Brittany Lynn Stauffer, Corinne Herr Watson, Daphnie Ann Watson, Erin Marie Watson and Amaya Renee Wilson and one great-great grandchild Kylie Brooke Willis. There are also two nieces, Gay Felt and Lee Baldwin and two nephews, Gordon Green and Whitney Green and many great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his two brothers Irvin Davidson Griffith and Melvin Nutter Griffith and one sister Helen Ruth Griffith Green.

James Russell Griffith

March 25, 1919 - November 25, 2010