Mr. Griffith died March 24, 2008 at the age of 86. He was born to Willard and Mabel Griffith on August 14, 1921. Mr. Griffith grew up in Portland and graduated from Lincoln High School. In high school he was the Oregon winner of an essay contest on the potential of air travel, winning a trip to Washington, D.C. where he met First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. At 17, he received a scholarship to Harvard, graduating in 1942 with honors in government. Mr. Griffith served in the US Army in WWII, including service in France and Belgium. He went on to Harvard Law School and graduated in 1949.

On August 20, 1953, Norman Griffith was married to Alice S. Egeland, a teacher at Washington High School who had moved to Portland from Minnesota. Together they raised four sons who, with their families, brought them great joy. Their sons and daughters-in-law are David, Stephen and Bobbi, Robert and Anna, Mark and Judith. There are nine grandchildren; Ian, Matthew, Jessica, Jennifer, Jaclyn, Samuel, Daniel, James, and Vesna. Mr. Griffith was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Mary Wilcox. He is survived by his sister, Estelle Barbur. Norman and Alice were married for nearly 55 years and they enjoyed many family adventures and special celebrations, together traveling to the Oregon Coast, the High Desert, and the Cascades. Mr. Griffith had a special interest in Oregon history and in the various species of plants and trees. His most special memories were with his family and especially his grandchildren.

Mr. Griffith was a Portland attorney in private practice for 58 years. He also was President of Riverview Abbey Mausoleum Co., a Portland area business held by the family for more than 75 years. His father Willard I. Griffith and later Norman, oversaw the expansion of the Mausoleum from one corridor to 50 corridors over the many years. In 2000, Mr. Griffith published a book entitled A Lawyer Looks at the Gospels, a comprehensive study of the words of Jesus. The book was written over a period of 35 years with time gleaned from his law practice and raising four sons.

Mr. Griffith was baptized at Hinson Baptist Church and an active member of Burlingame Baptist Church and Southwest Bible Church. For years he was an active member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, SW Kiwanis Club, and Christian Businessmen. He served 20 years on the board of directors of the Multnomah Law Library from 1963 to 1983.

Mr. Griffith loved his family and his Lord. He had an overwhelming impact on his family and friends. His presence will always be greatly missed.