Obituary
Lycurgus (Skip) M. Griffith, III, age 85, passed away peacefully at his home in Ocala, FL on July 8, 2020. He was born in Washington, DC to Lycurgus (Kirk) and Clarice Griffith.
Skip graduated from Gaithersburg High School in Gaithersburg, MD and Southeastern University in Washington, DC. He served in the U.S. Army prior to his almost 40-year career with GEICO, finishing as Manager of Printing and Mailing. During this time, he served a term as president of the Washington Metropolitan Postal Customers Council. He loved music, having played the drums in both high school and college dance bands. Skip was an avid, very loud, sports fan. For many years, he held season tickets to the Washington Redskins, where he loved spending his Sundays with Tom Bourdeaux, Gwinn Kirkman, and a cold libation. His favorite sports teams, however, were those of his children, whether coaching or cheering from the sidelines.
Upon retirement Skip and Gen embarked on myriad adventures, spanning 37 countries and multitudes of RVing adventures across the United States and into Canada and Mexico. They considered Mazatlan, Mexico their second home as they spent years enjoying the culture and people who so warmly welcomed them. Throughout their lives and travels, they collected extraordinary friends, lured in by Skip’s wicked sense of humor and “It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere” mantra.
Skip is survived by his wife of 61 years, Genevieve (Gen) M. Griffith, his daughter Joanna Griffith Trainor (Brian) of Apex, NC, and his son Paul Griffith of Pensacola, FL; grandchildren Darren Griffith, Jessica Griffith, Sarah Griffith, and Zoe Trainor. He is preceded in death by his eldest son, Matthew Griffith, and his grandson, Ethan Griffith. He leaves behind a mountain of memories, hearts full of love and gratitude, and an empty bag of Yum-Yums.
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the warm and compassionate staff of Marion County Hospice, West Team. They made it possible for us to continue to care for our precious husband/dad at home, and we are forever grateful.
We respectfully ask that you consider making a donation in Skip’s memory to Marion County Hospice, www.hospiceofmarion.com or 3231 SW 34th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34474.
Arrangements by Baldwin Brothers Funerals & Cremations 11250 SW 93rd Ct. Rd. Ocala, FL 352-236-7813.
Fuel was a logistical challenge, since the V-4 Johnson outboard of that day, was a real fuel guzzler. At one point we used our charts to identify a highway gas station sufficiently close to be able to tie up under the highway bridge and walk with the gas tank to get it filled, then back to the boat to continue the way.
We had to keep the boat on a plane to make any kind of gas mileage. On open water, the attendant bouncing and crashing produced many bruises on the legs where we came into contact with the center console, while driving standing up, knees bent, to absorb shocks. Following the Intracoastal Waterway, we had to dodge a 60 foot yacht headed north, following the same markers out in the middle of the Pamlico Sound. As we approached one another, we adjusted our course several times to try to give him room yet not run out of the channel and onto the sandbars, but it didn't appear that he was responding and setting a clear course. When we finally passed, a bit close for comfort, the captain looked down from the flybridge with a shocked look on his face. I guess he wasn't expecting to meet a 16 1/2 foot boat in the middle of the Pamlico Sound.
As we navigated by magnetic compass, bouncing across the large bodies of open water, Skip, working with the charts, would give me a bearing toward our next mark. At one point I asked him if the bearing he was giving me was true or magnetic, he just about keeled over laughing as we bounced over the waves, the difference between true and magnetic was hardly relevant to our lack of precision when holding a course since we were bouncing from wave to wave.
Arriving at our destination, beaten, bruised, and exhausted, we both agreed that we wouldn't have missed the adventure for anything, but, at the same time, we agreed that you couldn't pay us enough to turn around and do it again. The Boston Whaler returned to the Chesapeake by trailer when we finished our very enjoyable vacation stay with the rest of the family at Holden Beach.
in order to avoid the possible assumption by future historians that he had spent most of his life cooling his toes in the Sea of Cortez while cooling his palate swilling Pacifico. My earliest distinct memory was his heartbreak the night Gwinn, Bill, Van and I left for the Jan. '54 Orange Bowl without him. He was still a high school student and we (and his mother) deemed it advisable to try to avoid unnecessarily corrupting his entry into adult life. He survived handsomely, of course, and left us with all kinds of happy memories: That black '40 Chevrolet; the post-Labor Day Parade cocktails in his folks' side yard; cramming six people into our '54 VW, or maybe seven; his and Gwinn's collision with the dam on their ill-fated voyage down the Monocacy; the trip in our VWs to Williamsburg; the upper deck in RFK with Sonny, Charlie, Bobby and Jerry entertaining, and later with Riggo; and the trips to Dover, watching Bobby Labonte being abused by Dale Earnhardt. But standing out in all this was Skip's and Genevieve's unflagging hospitality: Myrtle Beach, Orlando, Ocean City and the boat rides; and last but not least, including Sandra and me on two magnificent personally guided tours of the west. Above all, his purpose was to make life fun for himself and everyone around him. After sixty-some years he will be greatly missed and fondly remembered; but it is still strange to realize that he just won't be here anymore.
Our Mazatlan family...we had so many good times
Christmas morning breakfast at their site at Punta Cerritos RV Park.
The Explorer on a South American cruise.
Skip's favorite Mazatlan musician, Rafael Rodriguez. Skip thought his version of La Malaguena was the most beautiful.
Trouble and Danger at Carnival time!
Celebrating an Anniversary in Mazatlan at Chile's Pepper
Enjoying Mazatlán with friends xxx