John Stevenson Jr., Griffith

Born June 3, 1933 in Pasadena, California and died on May 7, 2007 in Corona del Mar, California. Loving husband of Sheryl Coberly, father of Susan Griffith Mackenbach, (Dave) Palos Verdes, CA., Joan Griffith Malloy, (Brian) of Great Falls, MT. and John S. Griffith, III, (Shawna) of Santa Cruz, CA. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Kate and Dieter Mackenbach, “Griff” and Bayley Malloy, and Madison and Hunter Griffith. In addition he leaves his sister, Miriam Griffith Jones and brother-in law Nelson Jones, of San Marino, their families and many, many friends.

He attended Polytechnic School in Pasadena, Flintridge Preparatory School, Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, CT. and Pasadena City College.

Mr. Griffith spent the majority of his business career in real estate development and the Savings and Loan business. He was Chairman of the Board of Far West Financial Corp. (FWF) on the New York stock exchange and President and Chairman of its’ wholly owned subsidiary, State Mutual Savings and Loan Association from 1968 to 1975. He was the founding President of Crosscountry Mortgage Company and later Savers Thrift and Loan Association in Laguna Hills. He served as Chairman of the annual convention of The Council of Savings and Loan stock companies in 1969 and Chairman of the California Savings and Loan convention in 1970.

For many years he was a Director and court appointed Trustee of The Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena. In 1973 he served as President. He was also a former director of the John Tracy Clinic in Los Angeles.

Mr. Griffith had the pleasure of serving as Commodore of the Newport Harbor Yacht Club in 1984 and president of The Tuna Club in Avalon during its 100^th anniversary, in 1998. He was Chairman of The Masters Invitational Fishing Tournament in Cancun, Mexico in 1999 and 2000.

Contributions in his memory may be made to: The Newport Harbor Sailing Foundation, 720 West Bay Ave. Balboa, Ca 92661, The Catalina Island Conservancy, Po Box 2739 Avalon, Ca 90704, or the Hoag Hospital Foundation, Po Box 6100 Newport Beach, CA 92658-6100.

A celebration of his life will be held at The Newport Harbor Yacht Club, 720 West Bay Ave., Balboa, on Monday, May 21, 2007 at 11:30 AM Burial at sea will be private.

.