DeWitt James Griffin

Background

Griffin, DeWitt James was born on August 26, 1914 in Los Angeles, California, United States. Son of DeWitt Clinton and Ada Gay (Miller) Griffin.

Education

Bachelor, University of California at Los Angeles, 1936-1938; Bachelor of Arts, University of California, 1942.

Career

Designer, Kaiser Engineers, Richmond, California, 1941; architect, CF Braun & Company, Alhambra, California, 1946-1948; private practice architecture, Pasadena, California, 1948-1950; principal, Goudie & Griffin Architects, San Jose, California, 1959-1964; principal, Griffin & Murray, 1964-1966; principal, DeWitt J. Griffin & Associations, 1966-1969; president, Griffin/Joyce Associations, Architects, 1969-1980; chairman, Griffin Balzhiser Affiliates (Architects), 1974-1980; founder, president, Griffin Companies International, since 1980. Founder, director San Jose Savings and Loan Association, 1965-1975, Capitol Services Company, 1964-1977, Esandel Corporation, 1965-1977.

Achievements

• DeWitt James Griffin has been listed as a notable Architect, real estate developer by Marquis Who's Who.

Membership

Board directors San Jose Symphony Association, 1973-1984, vice president 1977-1979, president 1979-1981. Active San Jose Symphony Foundation, 1981-1986, vice president 1988-1990. Board directors Coast Guard Academy Foundation, 1974-1987, Coast Guard Foundation, 1987-1990.

Founder, board directors United States Navy Memorial Foundation, 1978-1980, trustee, since 1980. Trustee Montalvo Center for Arts, 1982-1988. Served to Commander United States Naval Reserve, 1942-1946, 50-57.

Fellow Society of America Military Engineers. Member American Institute of Architects (emeritus), United States Naval Institute, Navy League United States (president Santa Clara Valley council 1963-1966, California state president 1966-1969, national director since 1967, executive committee since 1968, president 12th region 1969-1971, national vice president 1973-1975, national president 1975-1977, chairman 1977-1979), United States Naval Sailing Association, Naval Order of the United States, Washington Athletic Club (Seattle), St. Francis Yacht Club, Commonwealth of San Francisco Club, Conference de la Chaine des Rotisseurs, Phi Gamma Delta.

Connections

Married Jeanmarie Donald, August 19, 1940 (deceased September 1985). Children: Barbara Jean Griffin Holst, John Donald, Cornelia Caulfield Claudius, James DeWitt (deceased). Married Vivienne Dod Kievenaar, May 6, 1989.

Father:

DeWitt Clinton Griffin

Mother:

Ada Gay (Miller) Griffin

Spouse:

Vivienne Dod Kievenaar

Spouse:

Jeanmarie Donald

child:

Barbara Jean Griffin Holst Griffin

child:

James DeWitt Griffin (deceased)

child:

John Donald Griffin

child:

Cornelia Caulfield Claudius Griffin