Person Page - 6135

     Melvin Thomas Griffith was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Spokane, Spokane Co., Washington.³ He was born on June 29, 1923 at Spokane, Spokane Co., Washington.² He married Mercedes Rowles, daughter of Luther Blair Rowles and Irene Reed, on June 23, 1949 at Livingston, Park Co., Montana.¹ Melvin Thomas Griffith died on November 6, 1997 at Spokane Co., Washington, at age 74.⁴ He Funeral Mass for Melvin T. "Mr. Motorcycle" Griffith, 74, was Monday at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. Burial followed at Holy Cross Cemetery. Mr. Griffith, a lifetime Spokane resident, died Thursday. He graduated from Lewis and Clark High School and served in General Pattons 3rd Armored Division during World War II. In 1948 he entered the Spokane Police Academy. He served in the Spokane Police Department until his retirement in 1980. During that time, he taught pursuit driving to the departments motorcycle police officers. Mr. Griffith was a national motorcycle hill climb champion and was involved in coaching various sports and activities. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Mercedes; two daughters, Carol Anderson and Valarie, both of Los Angeles; a son, David Griffith of Los Angeles; and a sister, Virginia Steinmetz of Spokane. on November 11, 1997.³