Arthur G. “Art” Griffin, Jr.

January 28, 1934 - May 19, 2017
Arthur G. “Art” Griffin, Jr.

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Arthur Gwynn Griffin, Jr., 83, of Melbourne, Fla., and Hendersonville, N.C., died Friday, May 19 in Hendersonville.

Born in Greenville, S.C., he graduated from Davidson College, Davidson, N.C. in 1955, after which was employed by the General Electric Co., as an electrical engineer in Syracuse and Schenectady, N.Y. There he met Arlene Serbanewicz, whom he wed in 1956. He and Arlene soon moved to Cocoa Beach, Fla., where he worked on the early space program for GE at Cape Canaveral, Fla. He then joined NASA at Cape Canaveral, where for nearly 30 years he worked on test flight planning and space flight communications in the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and space shuttle programs.

Mr. Griffin was a member of St. James Episcopal Church, Hendersonville, N.C., and a founding member of Hope Episcopal Church, Melbourne, Fla.

His parents, Arthur Gwynn and Christa Wilson Griffin, of Davidson, N. C., preceded him in death.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Arlene S. Griffin, two daughters, Barbara L. Griffin and Clay W. Stauffer, Holland, Mich., Robin L. and Tony Gichuhi, St. Charles, Ill., and one son, Arthur G., III, and Deborah A. Griffin, Grandville, Mich., seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, three brothers, Henry C. and Barbara P. Griffin, Black Mountain, N.C., Marion W. and Beth B. Griffin, Asheboro, N.C., and Morris H. and Kathy P. Griffin, West Jefferson, N.C.

An avid car collector, he was a longtime member of the Antique Auto Club of America and regularly officiated at car shows throughout the country.  He was also active in the Kaiser-Fraser Club and the Mustang Club. He enjoyed collecting and restoring Fords, Kaisers and Mustangs.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at St. James Episcopal Church, 766 N. Main St., Hendersonville, N.C. 28792.  Interment of ashes will be at Hope Episcopal Church later this summer.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. James Episcopal Church and Hope Episcopal Church, 190 Interlachen Road, Melbourne, Fla., 32940.


Service

Tuesday, May 23, 2017
1:00 PM

St. James Episcopal Church - Directions
766 N. Main Street
Hendersonville, NC 28791

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  • May 22, 2017
    Philip and Marcia Rihm says:
    Dear Arlene: Marcia and I are so saddened to learn of Art's passing. We are so grateful we were able to see you and Art in Sarasota last January at the Kaiser-Frazer meet. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

  • June 07, 2017
    Kim and Dennis says:
    Barbara and family - we are so sorry for your loss...

  • May 31, 2017
    Cheryl and Bob Johnson says:
    Our sincere condolences for your loss. We are keeping your family in our prayers.

  • May 25, 2017
    Shelly and Sandy Coe says:
    Arlene, we were so sorry to learn of Art's passing. He was so full of life and enthusiasm and dedication. Our prayers go out to you and your family

  • May 24, 2017
    David campbell says:
    My heart is heavy for the Griffin family. I had the privilege of growing up with AG III his son. We used to work on Kaisers in his garage. Bonding, sanding down the bodies and spraying on primer before mr griffin put on the final paint job. Those days in your dads garage are some of my most fond childhood memories. That and you always hogging the pizza pockets. Mr Griffin was an honorable man, wonderful husband and father that loved his family and others well. He and Mrs Griffin are fabulous roll models to be admired by all. While we all share in your grieving we also celebrate a life well lived.