Thomas Truman Griffith

Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Truman Griffith, age 86, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at his home in Del City, Oklahoma on December 12, 2023. Thomas served as a medic in the Vietnam War and spent another 30 years in the Army National Guard. Thomas considered it a privilege to serve his country and earned awards during his service with the United States Army, including Sharpshooter and Combat Medic Medals.

Thomas was born on April 18, 1937 in Red Oak, Oklahoma to his parents, Thomas and Parthenia Griffith. After graduating from Redlands High School in 1955, Thomas decided to enlist in the United States Army at age 23. In 1966, on active duty, Thomas was sent to Vietnam where he served as a medic in the Vietnam War. While in Vietnam, he became pen pals with Carolyn Pater whom he married on July 27, 1967 after returning home from Vietnam.

After being stationed in Fort Belvoir, Virginia for a short time, Thomas and Carolyn chose to settle in Mesa, Arizona where Thomas attended nursing school and also was a live-in house parent, along with Carolyn, to a group of young boys at Sunshine Acres Children's Home from 1970-1972. Upon attaining his degree as a registered nurse/physician's assistant, Thomas worked at Mesa General Hospital and University Medical Center before going on to get his degree as an advanced family nurse practitioner, one of the first to attain this distinction in the state of Arizona.

In 1978, Thomas and family relocated to Linneus, Missouri where he worked as a nurse practitioner for 2 1/2 years before eventually relocating again and settling in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. After working as a nurse practitioner in private practice for another 7 1/2 years, he took a job with the Oklahoma State Department of Health as their well-child family nurse practitioner where he held well-child clinics at five different sites in the state weekly up until his retirement in 1999.

Thomas was a force of nature, determined to provide for his family and give them the life he felt they deserved. Thomas was also a strong, loving and supportive father who took the role of protector of the family very seriously. When he wasn't working, you could often find him playing the piano, reading books and spending time with his beloved family.

Thomas was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Landon Griffith, his mother, Parthenia Elizabeth (McGaughy) Griffith, his brother, J.W.L. "Sonnie" Griffith and his sisters, Ruby Inez Cooper, Ethel Christine Capen and Lois Ella Alexander. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, of the home, his three daughters, Kimberly Hunt of Oklahoma City, OK, Kelly Stulken and her husband, Chris, of Del City, OK, and Kristin Young and her husband, Robert, of Checotah, OK. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Dakota Pound, Lauren Tanner, Tiana Tanner, Bryce Stulken, L.J. Tanner, Tristan Hunt and Thomas Tankersley, and two great grandchildren, Lillian Pound and Evan Tanner, as well as numerous other nieces, nephews and extended family.

A private graveside service for family only will be held in Yukon, Oklahoma. Pallbearers will be Chris Stulken, Robert Young, Bryce Stulken, L.J. Tanner, Tristan Hunt and Thomas Tankersley. A Memorial Service to honor our beloved father will be held at Bridgeway Church, 228 W. Hefner, Oklahoma City on Thursday, January 4, 2024, at 3:00 p.m.