SSgt. Donald Griffith

SSgt. Donald D. "Don Don" Griffith Jr., 29, assigned to Troop B, 2d Squadron, 14th Calvary Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Washington, and formerly of Mechanicsville, Iowa, died Friday March 11, 2005 at Tal Afar, Iraq, while serving with the United States Army. Services 2:00 p.m., Monday at the Mechanicsville Elementary School Gymnasium, where friends may register after 1:00 p.m. Visitation will be Sunday, from 1:00 until 5:00 p.m., at the Mechanicsville School. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, Mechanicsville with military rites by the United States Army and Busch-Dennis Legion Post #309. Don is survived by his wife Stacy of Mechanicsville, formerly of Fort Lewis, his parents Don and Diane of Mechanicsville, three brothers: Paul (Lynsey), Andre (Delinda) and Noel and three sisters: Amanda (Cory) Weber, Jayme (Luke) Oberbreckling, and Amy Griffith. Also surviving are his mother and father-in-law, Calvin and Donna Paup, a brother-in-law Chad (Rene) Paup, many nieces and nephews, several aunts, uncles, and cousins. Don was born December 20, 1975, the son of Don and Diane Johnson Griffith at Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center, Denver, Colorado. Donnie spent four years in the R.O.T.C., at Rancho High School in Las Vegas, graduating in 1994. He entered the army in March of 1996 and was a member of Busch-Dennis American Legion Post #309. He married Stacy Paup, March 20, 1997 at Elizabeth Town, Kentucky. Don Jr. entered the army to make the world a better place, which he had already done just by being himself. While serving his country, he was awarded the Overseas and Army Service Ribbons, Non Commissioned Development Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Medal, and the Army Achievement Medal with two Oak Leafs. Because of his bravery and selflessness, SSgt. Griffith will be awarded posthumously, the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Good Conduct Medals. Donnie leaves behind an unbelievable amount of friends who have now had our lives changed forever. We are all much better people for having known such a truly amazing person. He was the most unselfish and truly honorable person we have ever known. You are still taking care of us in heaven with the other angels. We will always love you and have lost such an important part of our lives. We will see you again in heaven. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Don Griffith Jr. Memorial Fund, in care of Stacy Griffith at P.O. Box 442, or Don and Diane Griffith at P.O. Box 351, Mechanicsville, Iowa, 52306.