A memorial service for Donald Gene Griffin, 78, a 41-year resident of Gardnerville, will be 11 a.m. Feb. 18 at the United Methodist Church in Gardnerville.
Mr. Griffin died Jan. 27 at his home. He was born Feb. 12, 1927, in Yakima, Wash., to Harry Bounds and Mary Elizabeth Potter Griffin.
He married Mildred Parsons in 1954.
He was a heavy-equipment operator and a ski instructor.
He helped clear the mountain face for the Gun Barrel run at Heavenly Ski Resort and was a member of the first professional ski patrol in the area.
After graduating from high school he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the South Pacific Theater during World War II on the USS Wasp and the USS Boston.
He was a 50-year member of the Operating Engineers Union. He enjoyed camping, fishing, reading, playing with his dogs, feeding and watching birds and spending time with family.
He was preceded in death by sister Barbara Allison and two nieces.
Among his survivors are his wife Mildred "Milly"; son and daughter-in-law David Michael and Dawn Miller Griffin of Gardnerville; daughter and son-in-law Rebecca and Alan Gross of Spanish Springs; sister Marie Jones of Woodstock, Va.; brother Gilbert of Tulsa, Okla., one grandson and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of choice.
FitzHenry's Carson Valley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.