Daily Sitka Sentinel

Jack Griffith, 74, Dies; Was Longtime Sitkan

Jack Griffith

    Longtime Sitka resident Jack Griffith passed away peacefully Sept. 24, 2019, at his daughter’s home in Montana due to complications from dementia and kidney failure. He was 74.
He was born Nov. 17, 1944, the son of Bob and Marge Griffith, in Denver, Colorado, and spent his childhood there.
Jack was a Vietnam War veteran, having been drafted in 1967 into the U.S. Navy. He was stationed in Japan aboard the USS St. Francis River LSMR-525, and served two tours of duty in the South Vietnam Mekong Delta before being honorably discharged.
In 1976, Jack met the love of  his life, Sandy, and together with Sandy’s daughter Tonya they moved to Libby, Montana, where they got married and Jack started his career with the U.S. Forest Service as a cadastral surveyor.
In 1979 they relocated to Sitka, where Jack continued his career with the USFS until retiring in 2000.
He loved everything about Southeast Alaska, and saw more of it than most brown bears!
After retirement, Jack and Sandy decided to build a house in Maui, Hawaii, and spent many years traveling between Alaska and Hawaii. They also traveled the world together and met countless friends along the way.
Jack was a loving husband, terrific father and good friend to many. His smiling eyes, sense of humor and quick wit will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Sandy, of Sitka; and his beloved daughter, Tonya, of Stevensville, Montana.
No services are planned at this time, but his ashes will be laid to rest at Sitka National Cemetery with full military honors. A celebration of the life for this wonderful man will be announced at a later date.