Thomas Lee Griffin

Our steadfast daddy, Thomas Lee Griffin, 86, of Knoxville Tennessee, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on July 28, 2025.

Tom was born to the late Lawrence and Sara Griffin of Johnson City, Tennessee on June 28, 1939. He graduated from Science Hill High School in 1957, attended VPI, and later married the love of his life, Nancy Hawkins Griffin, whom he was married to for almost 56 years before her passing.

Tom served in Korea and eventually retired from Alcoa Corporation after many years. He was an active member of St. Thomas Episcopal church for over 42 years, serving most recently as a Eucharistic Minister.

Tom’s love of his garden tomatoes, photography and picking on his daughters-in-law spanned decades and kept him busy. Flowers and wildlife were his favorite subjects to photograph.

Tom is survived by his three sons, Thomas L. Griffin, Jr. (Dana), William Stacy Griffin (Kelley), and Adam Hawkins Griffin (Brooke). He is also survived by nine grandchildren: Emily, Seth, Sam, Ethan, Shane, Tucker, Sean, Jaxon and Sonny. As well as Nancy’s brother, Nelson Hawkins and wife Miralee and their three children, Quinn Hawkins (Aimee), Erin Hawkins Rhew (Eric) and Ryan Hawkins (Sarah), her Aunt Margaret Walton of Huddleston, VA, Bobby and Bradley Taylor and a host of nieces, nephews and close family friends.

A service and celebration of Tom’s life will be held on Saturday, August 9th at The Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee, 814 Episcopal School Way, Knoxville, TN 37932 with a receiving of friends from 12-1pm and a service with full military honors at 1pm.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Andrews Episcopal Church 314 W. Broadway Ave, Maryville, TN. 37801