Neil Griffin

Lt. Colonel Neil Austin Griffin, Ret., age 82 of Dyer, Tennessee, went peacefully to be with the Lord on Friday, May 18, 2018, from his home in Dyer. A celebration of Neil's life will be Saturday,June 30, 2018 at 2:00pm in the Sanctuary of the First United Methodist Church in Dyer, TN with Bro. Randy Mutter officiating. He was born March 16, 1936 in Dyer, TN; the son of the late Gerald and Venora Griffin, both of Dyer. He attended Dyer schools, the University of TN at Martin, and went on the Cadets before joining the service. He received his aeronautical engineering degree from the University of CA, while stationed at George AFB. He was a retired fighter pilot, whom was with the United States Air Force of 21 years. After retirement, he was a corporate pilot for 11 years.His passion has been airplanes since he was a teenager, and he has owned several acrobatic planes and travelled for competitions. In later years, he mentored many people with the same passion. Neil was a member of the First United Methodist Church, and a Mason since 1978. He is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Kareen Griffin; two children, Teresa Thompson-Cain(Downing), Tommy Griffin(Beth); three granddaughters, Brittni Thompson, Cady and Jessica Griffin; and a special cousin, Gail Chase of Martinez, CA. Neil is a full body donor, and family ask that any memorial donations be made in his memory to First United Methodist Church, The American Cancer Society, or the American Heart Fund Association. Karnes & Son Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mr. Neil Austin Griffin.