JUNE 3, 1962 – FEBRUARY 18, 2024
Born to Belford and Violet of Castine, Ohio on June 3, 1962, James Belford McGriff entered eternal life with the Father on February 18, 2024.
As a child, Jim enjoyed hunting and fishing with his dad and trapping with his uncle Junior. He spent a lot of time with his cousin Chris who was like a brother to him.
Jim graduated from Arcanum High School in 1980. He served as a patrol officer in the villages of Arcanum, Ithaca, Gordon, and Union City. On June 30, 1982, Jim took the oath to defend the constitution of the United States of America against all enemies both foreign and domestic. He served 5 years 6 months as a Security Supervisor in the U.S. Air Force, including 16 months at Incirlik AFB in Turkey. At the time of his honorable discharge, Jim was a Staff Sergeant.
Jim was accepted into the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Academy (California) and graduated in April 1989. During his time as a deputy, Jim worked patrol (even the Rose Parade), detention center, and as a Drill Instructor for the R.I.D. program (Regimented Inmate Diversion “Boot Camp”). Jim was forced to retire due to health issues in 2002.
After his return to Darke County, Jim worked as a Darke County Sheriff Auxiliary, a Corrections Officer at the Darke County Jail, and security at Wayne Hospital.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Paulette, and nephew R.D.
Jim is survived by his stepmother, Bonnie McGriff, his stepfather, William Stull, his sister Joy Dixon, his nephew, Jonathan Arthur, and nieces, Summer (Doug) Cutler, and Autumn Davis.
Services will be held on Thursday February 22, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Zechar Bailey Funeral Home, Greenville, Ohio with Rev. Doug Baker officiating. Burial with military honors being conducted by the Greenville Veterans Honor Guard will be in Castine Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM on Thursday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Darke County Humane Society.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.zecharbailey.com for the McGriff family.