Harry A. “Hank” Griffith IV, 37, died at his home in Raleigh on January 4th.
Hank was the beloved husband of Jessica Perna; loving father of Harry A. “Gus” V, Eleanor Ann, and Penny Jean Griffith; son of Harry and Barbara Griffith; brother of Ashley Kollme (Doug), Sarah (fiancée Peter Gunn), Audrey (husband Jake Cooney) and John; grandson of Ann Griffith and Audrey Ashley; and cherished family member to a host of uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews and nieces. Hank was pre-deceased by his grandfathers, Harry A. Griffith Jr. and Charles A. Ashley, and his uncle, Paul Griffith.
Hank was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and grew up in military communities in Fort Bragg, North Carolina; West Point, New York; and Regensburg, Germany. He then spent his later grade school and high school years in Pittsburgh.
Hank enlisted in the Army in 2005. His assignments included the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vicenza, Italy; the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, New York; and the US Army Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg. He participated with distinction in numerous campaigns in the Global War on Terror and won a host of awards, including a Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts. Hank retired as a Master Sergeant in 2019.
Hank was widely known and appreciated for his huge heart, common touch, contagious sense of humor and willingness to help anyone in need. He adored his children and was loved and cherished by each member of his large family. Hank’s family, friends, army comrades and work associates were drawn to him in a special way and will miss him terribly.
Family and friends are welcome to a visitation at Boles Funeral Home, 425 W. Pennsylvania Avenue, Southern Pines, NC 28387 on Wednesday, January 18th from 5:00-8:00 pm. A mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 160 E. Vermont Ave., Southern Pines, NC 28387 on Thursday, January 19th at 9:30 am.
Interment with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Hank’s memory may be made to Outdoor Odyssey, 450 Boy Scout Road, Boswell, PA 15531/ www.outdoorodyssey.org; and Treehouse Recovery, 1640 Superior Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92627/ www.treehouserecovery.com.
Online condolences may be left at: www.bolesfuneralhome.com
Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.
