Peter Reginald Griffiths

Peter Reginald Griffiths was called home to be with Jesus on July 12, 2026 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born a British citizen on December 2, 1951 in Changi, Singapore to Rex and Sylvia Griffiths who were both stationed there through their service with the Royal Air Force.

In 1970, Pete graduated from Merchant Taylors’ School, a prestigious independent school near Liverpool, England, founded in 1620. Pete was a strong student and athlete, winning the school’s annual Sports Day competition his Senior Year. A decade later, Pete ran the London Marathon in 1982, finishing in just over 3 hours. Pete attended Leeds University and graduated in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. Three months later he accepted a commission signed by Queen Elizabeth into the Royal Air Force (RAF). Pete had a distinguished career in the RAF: serving as an Engineer for Harrier Aircraft Units; earning a Masters Degree in Aerosystems from RAF College Cranwell; and serving as an Intelligence Officer with the Ministry of Defense. He retired in 1990 at the rank of Squadron Leader (the US equivalent of Major).

Pete’s last assignment with the RAF was as an Exchange Officer with the United States Air Force at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton Ohio. After his retirement, he stayed in Ohio and founded his own company, Computer Database Systems (CDS), and later moved his company to Charlotte, NC in 1992. Over the next 30+ years, Pete used his computer programming and leadership skills to create a software platform, PetroCycle, which provided the US petroleum industry with wholesale fuel management. Pete had a rare ability to listen to clients’ problems , understand their business models, and create solutions to meet their needs. “Problem Solved!” became their team slogan. Throughout his companies’ name changes and mergers — CDS to AxSys Technologies to CMI Solutions to Ignite Retail — Pete’s focus was always on problem-solving. 

Pete met the love of his life, Elizabeth “Beth” Rhye while serving in the Praise Band at St. Stephen United Methodist Church in Charlotte. Pete was the drummer and Beth was a singer. Growing up on two different continents with an ocean between them, they knew it was only through God’s master plan that they met, fell in love and were married on June 15, 2002. Marrying Beth came with the bonus of Elizabeth, her 12-year-old daughter. Pete cherished his fatherly role with Elizabeth in every sense, and their Father/Daughter bond was strong. He walked Elizabeth down the aisle at her wedding and was always one of the first people to hold her beautiful children when they were born. His first granddaughter, Zipporah Hope called him “DaDa” so that became his grandpa name. 

Pete was a servant-hearted leader. His sincerity, sense of responsibility and engaging personality made him stand out in various roles of leadership to which he did not seek but humbly accepted. In his faith community, he served as Lay Director for the Walk to Emmaus #118 and as Rector for the Kairos Prison Ministry Walk # 11. In his church community, Pete was a Stephen Minister, a trained lay volunteer who provided confidential Christian care to people in need. In his tennis community at Olde Providence Racquet Club he was captain of his USTA teams. 

Pete believed in making memories, and this was the inspiration to plan travel excursions whenever possible. These included frequent trips to England to visit with family and long-time friends and a trip to The Holy Land. In 2024, Pete and Beth moved to Hilton Head Island to continue making memories for themselves and their family. 

To his loving British family, Pete was: Brother to Russell Griffiths and Jean, Roland Griffiths and Linda and Yvonne Goodall and John; Uncle to Chris Griffiths and Dawn, Jenny Proud and Tom, Michael Goodall and Veronica, Paul Goodall and Charlotte and Ashley Griffiths; and Great Uncle to: Phoebe and Joshua Griffiths, Mike and Chloe Goodall, Sebastian and Sienna Goodall and Ella, Thomas and Jack Proud. To his loving American family, Pete was: Son-in-Law to Don and Lily Moore; Brother-in-law to Andrea Smith and Scott and Dave Moore and Gina; Nephew to Inge Holland and Charlie; Uncle to Katy Haynicz-Smith and Peter, Lindy Burnett and Bryce, Christine Moore, and Jennifer Moore; and DaDa to grandkids Zipporah, Arbor, Gideon, Elisha and Samuel Dean. 

His nephew Paul shared these words upon learning of Pete’s passing, “Heaven gained one of the world’s finest. A true gentleman. It is an honor to have had him in our lives. To an incredible human, may you rest in peace, Pete.” A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at Christ Redeemer Presbyterian Church, 233 William Hilton Pkwy, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926. A luncheon reception at the church will follow the service. Internment of Pete’s ashes will be held at 2:00 pm that day at Six Oak Cemetery, 175 Greenwood Drive inside the Sea Pines community on Hilton Head Island, SC. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Lowcountry, 10 Pinckney Colony Road, Suite 103, Bluffton, SC. 29909. https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.bgclowcountry.org__;!!OH7Jjwzyk1GPUgacbQ!vco_fTRkd1geLyL81hIgLZEW2_rjLN_-w_eiz3vpbM-P7OvhuN3DOWIrq9ZvK8-3Vn5bWAbn7jtIEhEMo99sHhh5HHq9xiM$