You can read the obituary on Alton R. Griffin, Texas Tech 1951, in the Spring 2006 Issue of the Phi Gamma Delta Magazine. However, that obituary and others cannot come close to explaining the extent of loss we all feel . Alton died in January of 2006, only a few short months after his diagnosis of terminal cancer. I first met him while I was attending Texas Tech in the 50's.  He was an initiated Kemas, and I was an undergraduate in the Tech Fiji Chapter. I later worked for him as an Assistant District Attorney for about 5 years. We handled numerous law cases together through the ensuing years, lived only a block or two from each other, helped each other raise children, attended Lions Club together, traveled Europe together, ate lunch together a couple of times a week, and shared a unique Fiji Friendship that both of us enjoyed for over 50 years. Many of his contemporaries like F. L. Ballard can tell you stories about Alton dating back to Crowell in Foard County where Alton grew up.
He was known by many names like Bue, Arg, Mother, Mister Griffin, Boss, Silver Fox, Awlton (and others that I will not repeat here), but the name he cherished the most was Brother Griffin. His devotion to Phi Gamma Delta, and particularly the Texas Tech Chapter, was the strongest I have had the privilege of observing, and that takes in several hundred brothers with whom I have come in contact over the years and admire greatly. Alton never once failed in his support of Lambda Tau. He did everything that was ever asked of him. Others may not have been there for one reason or another, but Alton was always there. He served as Purple Legionnaire and was faithful in taking a leadership role in restoring the chapter to health in the early 90's as a Trustee. He attended every reception, memorial service, and other activity the chapter conducted. He helped break the ground for the new lodge. He was a chapter advisor who served for years on the Judicial Board and was known as the brother who could chew someone out who deserved it better than anyone else in the fraternity. He had his hard-headed ways, but he was a man of strong character who not only believed in the values of PHI GAMMA DELTA, but also lived them. He knew how to be a friend, and consequently he had a lot of friends, not only among his contemporaries, but also among the many younger men who had the benefit of his advice and friendship in the chapter. He believed in service to others, and he served other people in many ways through his fraternity, Lions Club, and other organizations. The community service award of the chapter is named in his honor. He was a man of high moral character. He was mannerly and always set a good example by his conduct, appearance, and his insistence on good conduct by others. He received the Coulter Cup from Phi Gamma Delta as the single graduate brother in the International Fraternity who contributed the most to his chapter, and I know of no one else who deserved it more. As Purple Legionnaire I relied on his judgment and support constantly, and he always was there for me and the undergraduate Fijis when he was called upon, no matter the time of day or night. With his passing I have lost my best friend, and Lambda Tau has lost one of its best brothers. But we have not lost his memory or his example. They will have a continuing and lasting influence on many lives and the life of Lambda Tau. Perge ! (George Nelson, '58)
Other Recent Graduate Deaths:
We have been notified of the deaths of our brothers of Lambda Tau and send our prayers and condolences to their families. They, along with Alton Griffin, will be fondly remembered at our Memorial Service in November 2006.
Garnet O. Reeves, Jr. Robert B. Cannon Robert H. Koonce Bob McCune Bill M. Gist
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