James Griffith, 75, of Baxter, Kentucky in Harlan County passed away on November 14, 2022. He was born June 6, 1947, in Georgetown, Ohio and lived the majority of his life in Brown County. He is a Vietnam Veteran of the U.S. Army as a Staff Sergeant with numerous medals and awards. He is honored with the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnamese Campaign Medal, Combat Infantrymen Badge, Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal with Device, a second Bronze Star and Sharpshooter Badge (Rifle M-14). He is a lifetime member of the Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 1178 in Baxter, Kentucky and a member of the Masonic Lodge of the Cincinnati Chapter.

James enjoyed being outdoors fishing, hunting, and just being outside tinkering. His love of being outdoors was part of his farm work growing up. He loved it so much that he almost didn't graduate high school because he would rather be in the field. He continued his love of farming on a hay, tobacco, and cattle farm in Ripley, OH and later in Baxter, where he grew a large vegetable garden and watched the bears travel the neighborhood. He is also a retired Dayton, Power, and Light employee of the J.M. Stuart Station in Coal Handling.

He is survived by his three daughters, Nanette "Gigi" (Brian) Neal of Georgetown, OH; Susan (Michael) Updike of Dayton, OH; and Abby (Jeff) Shelton of Ripley, OH; his 6 grandchildren, Ethan Neal, Lydia, Mason, Racheal Updike and Genell and Thomas Shelton. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters and numerous nieces and nephews.

At his wishes he will be cremated and no formal ceremony to occur. He will be interred at the place he loved most, the family farm in Ripley, Ohio.

Memorials and donations can be made to VFW Post 1178, 233 State Highway 413, Baxter, KY 40806.

Loyall Funeral Home is in charge of his arrangements.