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From:
John Hudy
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Tuesday, June 16, 2020
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I first knew Coach Griffith when I was a student at Lipscomb. I had him for several classes in my major field of study. He was one of a few individuals who directly led me down my career path. He was a mentor to me when I was a student and when I became a colleague. We loved to talk about baseball - he being a big Braves fan and me being a big Pirates fan. One year when the Pirates were actually good and made the playoffs, Lynn, myself, and Matthew got tickets at the last minute and we drove to Pittsburgh to watch a playoff game. We ended up staying with my Mom at the house I grew up in just outside of Pittsburgh. We stopped at the local mall for something, and Lynn bought a gift for my Mom and gave it to her. She still remembers that small act of kindness to this day. I can’t remember who won the game, but I do remember the fun we had on that quick trip. I remember Lynn teaching me how to resurface the tennis courts one year. This eventually led me down the path of learning to do repair work on my own. He will be missed, but the memories and lessons I have experienced with Coach G will be cherished. He’s resting in a place he’s lived for his whole life. You will all continue to be in our prayers.
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From:
Keller Shepherd
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Tuesday, June 16, 2020
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Diane and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I had the privilege of getting to get to know Coach Griffith when he taught me racquetball and pickleball at Lipscomb 2 years ago; we continued to play pickleball together after the class ended. I loved getting to play with him as he always brought a toughness and competitiveness when we played. He encouraged me and was such a strong man of God. Each time I passed him while walking across Lipscomb's campus he had a smile on his face and was sharing the joy he had with everyone. I'm blessed to have known him and am praying for you and your family.
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From:
Tom Campbell
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Tuesday, June 16, 2020
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Diane and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I always enjoyed my conversations with Lynn so much, especially over the past few years as members of the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. We shared a lot in common....a love for church and church history and a passion for sports. We had a lot of great conversations about these topics over the years and I always appreciated his insights and his love for people. Again, I am so sorry for your loss and I pray for comfort and peace for you all. Lynn will be missed. May God bless you all.
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From:
Darrell Duncan
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Tuesday, June 16, 2020
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Coach Lynn Griffith brought a certain "old school" toughness in how he conducted business, and he brought it with amazing love in his heart for his players, Lipscomb students and their families, and everyone he came in contact with. Coach took a special interest in my family and me. What is amazing is he likely did this with all families - making them feel the most special/blessed. Coach Griffith help mold my children into the fine young people they are now. He always knew the right thing to say and how to say it. I will miss Coach Griffith more than words can express. Thank you Coach for blessing me and my family. Hope you find some good tennis courts in heaven, because that is where we know we can find you.
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From:
Gary Hall
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Tuesday, June 16, 2020
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I always enjoyed sitting next to Lynn at faculty meetings. I knew that he would always tell how it really was. He was a good and godly man! His work in Haiti was truly out of love! He will be greatly missed.
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From:
Lorie Browning
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Tuesday, June 16, 2020
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Diane and Family, Lynn was a co-worker in Lipscomb's College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences with me. I so enjoyed talking about the mission work that he helped lead within the college for our students. We had the love of serving the people of Haiti in common and often talked about our different experiences and work when we were there. I also saw the love and dedication he had to his students, athletes, and most of all family. He was a great example for them and for all of us. I pray that you all will take comfort in knowing that he was a man of God and influenced so many by that love for the Lord. He will be greatly missed! Lorie Browning
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From:
Danny Godfrey
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Tuesday, June 16, 2020
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As a professor, friend and coaching mentor I have always enjoyed the company of such a wise, caring and happy man. To hear his surprised 'Hey Mate!' was a highlight of my trips, and he would always have helpful advice or an anecdote to pass on. The stories would always make for a great lunch! And as a coach, he has helped shape my philosophy (hopefully which passed on to help Samuel a bit) but more than that just in having the correct attitude to life - always wanting to learn, always putting others at the forefront, and always wanting to push yourself to be the best that you can be. Dr Griffith, you'll be sorely missed. Danny
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From:
Susie Parrish
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Monday, June 15, 2020
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I was blessed with the friendship of Lynn and Dianne several years ago when Lynn ended up coaching my ladies tennis team. He went about coaching our rec league team the same way he did everything. He gave us his best, his best preparation, best effort, best attention to detail, because he did everything in service to God and to his glory. I once asked if it was frivolous to ask him to pray with us before a match. Lynn replied that if God cares enough about you that he knows the number of hairs on your head, then he cares about everything you do, including your tennis match. He was always willing to share his time and talent for causes that were important to me, as well as those that were dear to him. He shared his knowledge, experience and wisdom, but also never stopped learning new things and his mind stayed open to ideas that challenged his own.He was too humble to enjoy praise for himself, but was quick to let you know any achievements were a result of having Dianne as his wife. I feel lucky to have one of his famous nicknames, Fraulein Forehand. Coach G, you will be so missed by so many.
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From:
Bryan Skelton
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Monday, June 15, 2020
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Coach Lynn Griffith was a prince of a man. A great "players" coach and professor. That gravely voice. His corny jokes and nicknames. His competitive spirit and hard work. Wonderful spirit and servant leader. He always seemed present and made us feel valued. Always teaching and coaching, even after we had moved on into adulthood.
My heart aches for the family.
Sincerely, Bryan Skelton
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From:
Joseph Tipton
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Monday, June 15, 2020
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To Diane and family,
I'm so grateful for the life and example lived by Lynn. Growing up at Hillsboro, I learned to affectionately refer to Lynn as "Ward". It was an honor to then know him as a colleague at Lipscomb for 5 years. His commitment to service in Honduras and Haiti has been so inspiring. May God cover you with a peace that passes understanding as you grieve Lynn's passing, cherish his life, and look forward to the promise of eternity.
With love,
~ Joey Tipton
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From:
William Sager
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Monday, June 15, 2020
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Dianne, Samuel and the family,
Lynn was such a terrific friend for me and I learned from his insights and wisdom as a father, minister, Lipscomb employee and person of faith. In each area, Lynn shared his practical wisdom and keen insights with me and made me a better person. We sat together at soccer games, and I learned about parenting teenagers. We talked shop after church, and I learned of his passion for those in detention and his commitment to criminal justice reform through sharing the good news. He shared with me about Haiti and the many lessons he had learned from his visits there, and from Samuel.
Lynn was passionate about his faith, his family, his love for Dianne, his devotion to his family, his love for Lipscomb. He also knew that God had a special plan for each of his children--and I saw that clearly in his love for Samuel. About a year ago this week Lynn dropped everything to drive to camp to see Samuel be baptized into Jesus. I've never seen him happier than in discussing that moment. I'll sure miss him as his weekly texts and emails made me better and were a source of much encouragement.
With love, Scott Sager
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From:
Jim Arnett
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Monday, June 15, 2020
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To Dianne and family: Lynn was my longtime colleague, friend and brother. Beyond our working relationship, we also enjoyed time as occasional workout and jogging companions. Although we experienced ups and downs together, in all of my recollections of him, he was a steadfast encourager who set an example as an upbeat co-worker and always wanted to do the right thing.
In the past decade or so, Linda and I have been genuinely inspired by his (and Dianne's) commitment to the people of Haiti. I know they will miss him immensely as an advocate and leader, but his contributions there (especially in the lives of children) will forever remain a key piece of his earthly legacy.
We will miss his smiling face and kind friendship. So thankful for the hope we share in Christ.
Jim Arnett
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