SOUTHERN PINES, NC, U.S.A.
U.S. ARMY
SFC, 782ND BRIGADE SUPPORT, 4TH BCT, 82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION, FORT BRAGG, NC
12/07/2012, FAYETTEVILLE, NC
SFC Jeffrey Kenneth Griffey, age 37, died unexpectedly on Friday, December 7, 2012.
Jeffrey Griffey was born on January 28, 1975 in Chicago, IL to Kenneth and Rusty (Agnes A. Moore) Griffey. The Ken Griffey family moved to Michigan, November 1, 1985.
Jeff joined the U.S. Army in July of 1993 and completed his basic combat training and advanced individual training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. He arrived at Fort Bragg’s 82nd Airborne Division in 2006, where he served as a senior maintenance non-commissioned officer in charge, platoon sergeant, maintenance supervisor, maintenance control sergeant and motor sergeant.
SFC Griffey deployed twice during his 19-year career, once to Iraq and most recently to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. At the time of his death he was serving as an air movement liaison with the 782nd Brigade Support, 4th Brigade Combat Team.
Jeff was a Native American of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin in Green Bay. SFC Griffey was an active member of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association – CVMA 15-3, and the VFW Post #4524 of Spring Lake, NC.
Surviving are his wife, Kimberly M. Griffey; his three children, his parents, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, numerous cousins and a host of friends.
According to MSGT Jerry Hanshaw, who served as SFC Griffey’s first sergeant for almost three years, Jeff Griffey left a lasting impact on those who knew him.
“He was a leader who led with passion and emotion,” said MSGT Hanshaw. SFC Griffey, continued MSGT Hanshaw, saying that Jeff always went out of his way to ensure that his troopers were taken care of, and that he guarded them as if they were his own children.
“It was truly an honor to know, serve with and call Jeff a true friend,” added SFC William Holman. “SFC Griffey’s three children: Clarissa, Casey and Jeffrey, were the main priority in Griffey’s life.”
SFC Holman was close to SFC Griffey personally and professionally. The two soldiers served together as jumpmasters in the division and SFC Griffey was the best man in SFC Holman’s wedding.
“As a friend, Jeff was the only guy I could always count on,” explained SFC Holman.
“What stood out most about Griffey was that he always remained positive, even in the worst of times. He had a great attitude because he was doing what he loved to do, which was being a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division.”
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