Name: Reverend Howard A. Griffin, Jr. 80 of Scranton, PA passed away on December 18, 2016 in Regional Hospital of Scranton.

Born: He was born on June 30, 1936 in Greenville, SC a son of the late Howard A. and Pearl Acker Griffin, Sr.

Personal: Howard spanned the globe as an independent consultant IT professional for over 50 years until his retirement. He proudly served in the US Marines from 1958-1963. He was a chess master and played in person and on-line. He never played a computer game he couldnt out maneuver. He was a crooner and wrote an original song while he was in the Marines entitled Bird on the Wing . His favorite song to sing was South of the Border . He preached and taught from the bible as a pastor in the AME Church and was working on two theological manuscripts. Two of his sons followed him in military service, Steven and Marc, both in the Navy, as well as a grandson, Steven, also in the Navy.

Memberships: He was a member of the Independent Christian AME Church.

Survivors: Howard is survived by his wife, Diana L. Montague, his children Stephen Paratus Bey (Steven E. Pratt, Sr.) of Philadelphia, PA and his wife Lonnice Fuller, Howard A. Griffin, III of Philadelphia, PA, Marc I. Griffin of Virginia Beach, VA and his wife Shelley McDaniel and Thoren B. Griffin of Brooklyn, New York. He is also survived by a sister Tanya R. Brown of Palmer Twp, PA and her husband, Dennis, brothers Robin L. Griffin of Reading, PA, Pastor Don B. Griffin of Forks Twp., and his wife, Brenda Lockhart, 10 grandchildren and 2 great granddaughters. In addition to his parents, Howard is preceded in death by his brothers Haroldy T. Griffin and Michael B. Griffin, a son, Howard William Griffin and a grandson, Steven E. Pratt, Jr.

Services: Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 11:00 am in the Morello Funeral Home, Inc., 3720 Nicholas St. Palmer Twp. Interment will follow at Ft. Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, PA.

Memorial Contributions: In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Friends of Israel at http://www.foi.org/ or Trees for Israel at http://www.holylandtree.com/. Online condolences may be offered at www.morellofuneralhome.com.