Cecil Linwood Griffin, Jr.

Cecil Linwood Griffin, Jr., well known native of Norfolk, Va. and outstanding athlete at Old Dominion University, then known as the Norfolk Division of William and Mary, passed away on December 2, 2007, due to age related causes at the age of  88. He was born in Manteo, N.C. on September 12, 1919.

He was raised in Norfolk, Va. after his family moved there at an early age. He graduated from Maury High School in 1937 and attended the Norfolk Division of William and Mary from1938-1940. During that time he was a multi-sport star. He excelled in basketball, football, track & field and baseball. Among his sports accomplishments was a 9.9 second 100 yard dash, one of the fastest dash runs in intercollegiate track & field in the county in 1939. He was also the leading scorer in basketball for 2 years, averaging over 20 points per game, playing center. Cecil went on to earn a scholarship to William and Mary and became one of the basketball teams’ top scorers, graduating in 1942, with a business administration degree.

When World War II broke out, Cecil joined the Navy’s V-7 program and was allowed to take mid-term exams early and return for graduation in June, 1942. He earned a commission as an ensign at Columbia University in 1943. The minesweeper to which he was attached participated in Europe and in Asia-Pacific engagements, receiving four Battle Star medals during that time.

After the war he was assigned as commanding officer of the U.S. Supply Depot in the Philippines province of Zambales. He received a commendation from the Philippines’ government citing him for his “deep understanding of the ‘People to People’ program and contributing to the improvement of harmonious relations between Filipinos & Americans in the Subic Bay area.” Cecil retired from the Navy as a full commander after 23 years in 1964 and received a Master of Business Arts degree from George Washington University that same year. He also was a faculty member at Tulane University’s College of Business Administration during his military years.

After serving in the Navy, Cecil went to work for Seaboard Citizens Bank, as vice president and regional personnel director, a position he held until his retirement in 1981, when it was then known as United Virginia Bank.

In 1989, Cecil was inducted into the Old Dominion Sports Hall of  Fame along with four other notable athletes of the early 1980’s; Yogi Hightower; Ronnie McAdoo, Pat Shaulis Roberts and Mark Wasinger.

Cecil had been living in Southern Shores in Kitty Hawk, N.C. since the late 1970’s.

He is predeceased by his father, Cecil Linwood Griffin, Sr., his mother, Hattie Creef Griffin, and his older brother, Donald Griffin. He is survived by his wife, Mildred Griffin, of Kitty Hawk, N.C., 3 sons, Cecil Linwood Griffin III of Virginia Beach, Va., William Gordon Griffin of Eugene, Ore., Stephen Allen Griffin, of Bradenton, Fl., 1 daughter, Beth Griffin Thompson of Penang, Malaysia and 2 devoted step-daughters, Gail Macaulay and Dianne Hendrix of Kitty Hawk, N.C.

In lieu of flowers, it was Cecil’s wish that a donation be made to a worthy cause of your choosing.

A memorial service will be held at Kitty Hawk Methodist Church at 803 West Kitty Hawk Rd., Kitty Hawk, N.C. on Friday Dec.7, 2007 at 1:00 P.M. The Reverend Brad Bradshaw will officiate.  Condolences to the family may be sent via the on-line register at www.gallopfuneralservices.com.