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Dr. Edwin Griffith (Deceased)
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Home Phone: -- Dale’s LM for Coach Shipley’s Tribute is taken from information he provided for the 2001 Shipley Reunion. Additional information, provided by teammate Howard Humphreys (in consultation with Dale’s family) include his obituary and biographical information is posted below his LM for Coach Shipley’s Tribute. Basketball Team Member,1957-58 Married Myra Mason. We have two children, Gregory Alan, who lives in Destin, FL., and owns his own business, and Marla Dee Haller, who lives in Jackson, OH. We have three marvelous grandsons (Zachary, Nathaniel, and Caleb). Marla is married to Paul Haller, a teacher and coach in Jackson, OH. Marla is a physician in Jackson. When I graduated from high school in Ashland, KY, in May 1957, I had received several basketball scholarships. I had not made a decision as to where I would attended college. One day, in the Summer I opened the local newspaper and saw an ad about a college looking for basketball players. So I called the local telephone number in the newspaper. It was the father, Courtney Clark, of a college coach, Jeep Clark at Southern Mississippi, who knew Coach Shipley. Mr. Clark was trying to help Coach Shipley recruit basketball players. So he gave me Coach Shipley’s telephone number. I called him and told him that I would like to find out more about the school and if possible to meet him. Coach Shipley told me he would come to Ashland to meet me and my parents. He ask me if I knew any other basketball players who might be interested in attending Southewestern Louisiana. I told him about my two close friends and team mates, Howard Humphreys and Don Church. He ask if I could arrange for him to meet them when he came to Ashland. I contacted Howard and Don to tell them about the ad and my conversation with Coach Shipley, and to ask them if they would be interested in attending Southwestern so we would not be separated as friends and teammates. When Coach Shipley came to Ashland we were all very impressed with him and his desire to make a difference in young men’s lives. Don and I ask if it would be possible to visit the school, as Howard could not accompany us due to a Summer job he had. Don and I went to Lafayette to visit the campus. We were very impressed and shown wonderful hospitality by Coach Shipley When we returned to Ashland we told Howard about the campus. We then decided as friends and a team that we would attend Southwestern Louisiana. My one year at Southwestern was truly a growing period in my life as I had never been separated from my family. I was made to feel at home by Coach Shipley and his family and many other people, such as Coach Reinhardt, and the George Ballard family. It was under Coach Shipley that we were taught to be dedicated, have determination, have a desire to succeed, to have good work ethics and not be lazy, and not give up and be quitter. He taught us to give our all in competition and in life. These are some of the things he instilled in us that have helped me in my life, even though I was only with him for one year. I consider being mentored and influenced by Coach Shipley was definitely a plus and highlight in my young life. I also considered it a wonderful experience that was afforded me to meet and get to know the great group of men who have continually held a special place in my life. * * * * * Obituary: Dr. Edwin “Dale†Griffith – 1939-2008 Dr. Edwin “Dale†Griffith, 69, of Woodstock, Ga., formerly of Ashland, went to his heavenly home with our gracious Father God on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2008, after his courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He is survived by his loving wife, Myra; son, Gregory Alan Griffith of Destin, Fla.; daughter, Dr. Marla Haller and a special son-in-law, Paul Haller of Jackson, Ohio; three grandsons, Zachary Haller (Sarah) of San Diego, Calif., Nathaniel and Caleb Haller; one great-grandson, Ayden; two sisters, Gaylena Griffith Slone of Ashland; and Loleda Griffith Staten of Cumming, Ga. Special memories will be cherished by brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and many nieces and nephews. Born to the late Estill and Oma Griffith, May 7, 1939, Dale Graduated Ashland High School in 1957. He attended Southwestern Louisana University, Marshall University and later received his BA and MA in biblical studies and ministry from Luther Rice Seminary in Atlanta, Ga. Dale also earned his Doctorate of biblical studies from Andersonville Baptist Seminary in Camilla, Ga., and was about to receive a second doctoral from Trinity Theological Seminary in Newburgh, Ind. Upon retiring from Armco Steel Corporation, Ashland Works, in 1990, Dale was called into the full-time ministry. He served as chaplain to Ramey Children’s Home and the Hack Estep Home for Boys, was pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Louisa and was appointed as church growth and evangelism consultant to the Home Mission Service and served in the Mission Service Corp. for the North American Mission Board. In 1994, Dale joined the staff at First Baptist Church in Woodstock as minister of the evangelism and prayer and was co-founder of Messengers for Christ to assist pastors and their congregations in church growth, evangelism, prayer and to fulfill the Great Commission Mandate. In addition to fulfilling his duties with Messengers for Christ, he also served as an adjunct professor for 12 years at Luther Rice Seminary in Atlanta and chaplain at Kennesaw Transportation in White, Ga. Traveling and ministering throughout the United States, Europe, Russia, Australia, South America and the Caribbean, Dale loved to share God’s love with everyone he came in contact with and never missed an opportunity to lead “just one more person†to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. Dale was also known for his many years umpiring Babe Ruth and College Baseball throughout the southeastern United States. The family will receive friends from 5 to 9 p.m. Monday at Steen Funeral Home, 1501 Central avenue. Dale’s “homegoing celebration†will be at Unity Baptist Church, 2320 29th Street, Ashland, at 11 a.m. Tuesday, where he will lie in state for one hour before the service with the Rev. Harold Cathey officiating. Internment will be in Ashland Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel. A special memorial celebration will be at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 11095 Highway 92 in Woodstock, led by Dr. Johnny Hunt. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to Messengers for Christ, Inc. Attn: Dan Vencill, 4625 Daphne Court, Ashland. Steen Funeral Home in Ashland is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.steenfuneralhome.com. Information obtained from www.dailyindependent.com Obituaries Sept. 21 Athletic Network Footnote: Dale attended the Shipley Reunion in 2001 and was a proud member of the first wave of Shipley recruits from Ashland, Ky. He returned the day after the final day of the reunion and wanted to see all the new buildings on campus and learn of the new offerings, programs, and activities of the university. One special treat was him returning later that day so we could take a walking tour of Bourgeois Hall. He had some wonderful ideas about the integration of the physical and spiritual aspects of our lives. Our condolences and prayers go out to his family and friends. He was a very special person. Howard Humphreys contacted the Athletic Network and provided the sources of information. Thank you, Howard. The information below was obtained from the Ashland 1957 High School Website at www.ashland57.myevent.com OUR DEAR CLASSMATE – DALE GRIFFITH – DIED SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2008. Special Memorial Service- 2:00 PM – Tuesday – Woodstock,GA-First Baptist Church- words of comfort by Dr. Johnny Hunt with classmate Howard Humphreys assisting. * * * * * * * * * * * * * When I came back home from Southwestern I got a job at Armco Steel Corporation and attended Ohio University Ironton Branch, Ashland Community College, University of Kentucky, and Marshall University, Huntington, WV. During which time I pursued a degree in Industrial Management. I also continued playing basketball for a company and an independent team. While working at Armco and AK Steel Corp. from 1958 to August 1990 I held key first line ( Assistant Turn Foreman Pit and Melting and Turn Foreman Melting), middle management (Day Foreman and General Foreman), and corporate positions (Special Assignment and Senior Operation Specialist). During my time with AK Steel I became a born again Christian. I was called into the ministry and attended Bible School, Bible college, and seminary at night and during my vacation time. I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies and Master of Arts in Ministry from Luther Rice Seminary, in Atlanta, Georgia. I earned a Doctor of Biblical Studies from Andersonville Baptist Seminary in Camilla, Georgia. While at Armco and AK Steel I led and participated in several workshops and courses in Management, Leadership, Metallurgy I, II, III, and Advanced Ferrous Metallurgy, Mill Operations, Steel Making, Safety, and First Aid. I served as Assistant Treasurer, Chairman of the Strategic Planning Committee, and Personal Evangelism Coordinator for the Greenup Association 1988-1994. Served as part-time Chaplain for the Ramey Home and the Hack Estep Home for boys, and was fill-in Chaplain at Kings Daughters Medical Center, in Ashland, KY. I have had the opportunity to lead over 250 seminars, workshops, clinics, and schools in Bible, Church Growth, Evangelism (different types), Prayer, Revival and Spiritual Awakening, How to Develop Evangelism Training Through the Sunday School, How to Be Set Free From Addictions, and How to Overcome Fear in Witnessing, in the United States and different countries of the world such as: Australia, Brazil, Kenya, Ukraine, Venezuela, Wales, and Puerto Rico, as a National Leader. I have had the honor and joy of making over 70 mission trips to these various countries to lead, teach, and participate in these type seminars, etc., along with preaching revivals and conferences. I was appointed as Church Growth and Evangelism Consultant and continue to serve in this position for the North American Mission Board, in the Mission Service Corp. I was honored to be Licensed in 1986 and Ordained in 1987, in the Ministry. I have served as Pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in 1987-89. In 1993, I became President of Messengers For Christ, Inc. and still hold that position. In August 1990, I left AK Steel Corporation to go into full-time ministry. I did consulting jobs, in Venezuela, for an American and Venezuelan corporation, in the fields of Project Management, Project Co-ordination, leadership, and management, to help finance my mission trips to Venezuela. In September 1994-July 1996, served as Minister of Evangelism and Prayer at First Baptist Church, in Woodstock, Georgia. Since 1978 I have had experience as Director and Teacher of various Bible Study Departments and classes. Served as a Junior Church Pastor and in the Bus Ministry for eight years. It has been my honor and joy to do pulpit supply preaching in various churches and denominations for 23 years. I have participated in, taught in, and led several Church Growth and Evangelism Conferences, and have led several Prayer Seminars. I have and am serving as an Adjunct Professor at Luther Rice Seminary, teaching Church Growth, Discipleship, Evangelism, Missions, and Personal Spiritual Formation. Have been guest lecturer at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. I have attended and led several Leadership and Management Seminars both in the secular world and the Christian community. Led Businessmen’s Bible Study in the market place. I have completed and teach a workshop and seminar on S.A.F.E. (Setting Addicts Free Eternally). I conduct seminars on rehabilitation of alcohol, drugs , and other addictions, How To Be Set Free From Addictions. I have done and do counseling on a limited basis in the areas of marriage and family, and serve as a consultant to families regarding evangelism, prayer, religion, and psychology. I have had the honor of being a presenter and speaker at the Ukrainian military conference Christian Love and Military Duty in Kiev, Ukraine, March 13-16, 1997. I have made fifteen other trips, (from 1997 through 2001), to Ukraine to work with the Baptist Union in Church Growth and Evangelism, as well as preaching in local churches. In October 1997, was privileged to teach a curriculum on the Christian Faith and How to Overcome Addiction at the Kiev Military Humanitarian Institute, a high military education institute from advanced specialized training of Ukraine military officers. In May 2000, It was my honor to teach a two day seminar on How to Be Set Free From Addictions, in Rivne, Ukraine. In March 1999 through July 2001, it has been my joy to teach and preached in many oblast’s youth conferences, as well as the National Youth Conference of Ukraine. In August 1999, I was privileged to be the main teacher and preacher in Kenya in both the men’s and women’s conferences. Teaching on the subjects of Evangelism, including personal witnessing training, Missions, Shepherding, and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. I have been favored by receiving invitations to participate in Conferences on the Great Commission in Kenya, Nicaragua, Russia, and Wales. It has my delight to assist local church pastors, in Equipping members of their congregation, in Church Growth, Evangelism, Prayer, Revival, and Spiritual Awakening, and to fulfill the Great Commission Mandate. I also consult some for companies in the area of leadership, management, project development and co-ordination. I also enjoy taking my wife with me when she is able to travel and playing golf when I have time. * * * * * Addendum: Dale was inducted into the Ashland CP1 Baseball Hall of Fame as an umpire for many years. He was credited in the helping to train long time major league umpire and current head of the umpires association Charlie Reliford. Reliford is retired and is back living in his hometown of Ashland Ky. A current major league umpire Greg Gibson also lives in Ashland.. Hall of Fame induction was August 2017. He was also a well-respected SEC baseball umpire for many years. Update provided by Howard Humphreys on Aug. 31, 2017.
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