Arthur Richard Griffith

WEAVERVILLE - Arthur Richard ‘Dick’ Griffith of Weaverville passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, June 27, 2026, just two weeks before his 98th birthday.

Dick was born at home on July 11, 1928, in Boonville, New York to Arthur R. Griffith and Doris Seymour Griffith. He often spoke with pride of his early years on the family farm, where his father built their home from a Sears and Roebuck kit. After the death of his father in 1935, Dick, his sister Gwen, and their mother moved in with Grandmother Seymour, whose home stood just across from the town fire station.

Dick proudly served his country in the United States Navy in the Korean War and later spent 20 years in the Naval Reserve. He thoroughly enjoyed his years of military service, working as a large-engine mechanic aboard the destroyer USS Samuel N. Moore and later the aircraft carrier USS Kearsarge. He retired as a Master Chief Engineman.

While serving in the Navy, Dick began writing letters to Phyllis Charsky, the daughter of his minister, the Rev. Arthur Otto Charsky. Their correspondence blossomed into love, and Dick proposed to her by letter. Phyllis replied that he would first have to ask her father.

Dick and Phyllis shared 63 wonderful years of marriage. They lived in Miami, Florida then made their home in Apopka the year Disney World opened. They delighted in watching the space shuttles launch from the Kennedy Space Center and cheered on the Orlando Magic together. Dick worked for Greyhound until his retirement then worked for a charter bus company taking people to the attractions in Orlando and to Cape Canaveral. He even got to drive a bus full of VIPs around the racetrack right before the Daytona 500 was held! Dick and Phyllis moved to Weaverville, NC in the late 1990's. They loved to travel and enjoyed their trips to Maine, Sweden, Denmark and Finland, and many other places.

Remember Dick by being kind to anyone and everyone, by telling a silly pun, by playing a harmless practical joke, by laughing at a fart. Or eating anything sweet, especially Oreos!

Dick was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 63 years, Phyllis Charsky Griffith; his sister, Gwendolyn Pugh; his brother-in-law, Eugene Charsky; his great-granddaughter, Mina Fae Hamilton; and his faithful cat, Nutmeg.

He is lovingly remembered by his children, David (Pat), and Sylvia, Tim (Jeannie); Chuck Hamilton, the father of four of his grandchildren; his grandchildren, Elisabeth, Justin (Jackie), Ben, Amelia (Eddy), Joshua (Clysha), John (Tiffany), Nathan (Teagan),and Aaron; his great-grandchildren, Aurora, Aria, Leo, Warren, and Wyatt; several loving nieces, nephews, and dear friends; his cherished church family at GracePoint Church; and the many wonderful caregivers from Compassionate Care Hospice.

A funeral service with full military honors will be held on August 14 at 10 AM at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain, officiated by Chaplain LCol Brett Charsky, USArmy. Dick will be laid to rest with his beloved wife. A memorial service at GracePoint Church will follow at 12 PM with pastors Bob Bedford and Neil Montgomery officiating.

West Family Funeral Services is honored to be serving the Griffith family during this time.