Frederick Spencer Griffith was born January 26, 1919 in Emporia, Kan., to Ethel and Fred Griffith. He passed away May 1, 2008 in Eureka.

Active in Boy Scouts and sports, Fred was an all state basketball player in high school and a Small College All American in basketball under the coaching of Dean Smith, Senior. During World War II, he was a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy, serving as a pilot and flight instructor in Pensacola, Fla. After the war, he returned to complete his education at Emporia State Teacher’s College.

Fred taught math, coached basketball, and was the Principal at the high school in Crawford, Colo., while completing his master’s degree in education at the University of Northern Colorado. Fred moved to the San Diego area in 1954 where he served as Vice Principal of La Mesa Junior High School in La Mesa, Calif. for many years, retiring in 1978. He is fondly remembered for his many years of support for area youth. Fred was an active member of his community, serving in various leadership roles in the Boy Scouts, Little League and Rotary. He was instrumental in the founding of the Spring Valley Rotary Club as Charter President in 1965 and was a Paul Harris Fellow in Rotary. An avid golfer, he enjoyed his retirement by golfing with longtime education and Rotary friends.

Fred was preceded in death by his wife of 38 years, Maxine Elizabeth Belloni Griffith and son, Dr. Hal Lee Griffith.

He is survived by children Nancy and Lee Weinstein of Boulder, Colo., Fred and Tina Griffith of Eureka, Stephen and Mary Welch of Piedmont, Calif., and Richard and Kathleen Concannon of Oakland, Calif. He was loving grandfather to Amy Lee Weinstein and Jon Belak, S. Gio and Gia Welch, Heidi Griffith, Giulia Welch and Ernesto Diaz, Spencer Griffith and Cyndi Fischer, Melani and Brent Fulgham, Jason and Bree Weinstein, Haily Griffith and Greg Remedios, Daniel and David Concannon, David Weinstein, Hannah Truitt, Caitlin, Peter and Caroline Welch; and great-grandfather to Tyler Kathleen and Ryan Elisabeth Fulgham, Evan Griffith and Anil Edward Remedios, Cristina Pilar and Elisa Mariana Diaz, Molly Taylor and Riley Spencer Griffith.

Arrangements are under the care of Sanders Funeral Home, Eureka.