Retired Lt. Colonel Elijah “Hank” Girven Jr. died Wednesday morning, July 17, 2013 in Upper Marlboro, Maryland at age 87. He was born May 18, 1926 in Bristow, Oklahoma to parents Dr. Elijah Henry Girven and Eva Mae (Venters) Girven. Girven was predeceased by his wife, Queen Elizabeth Girven.
After graduating high school in May 1944 as class valedictorian, Girven attended Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri. In the summer of 1945, he was drafted and began his one year tour of duty in the U.S. Navy. Once completed, he was released from active duty. He transferred briefly to Iowa State College before settling at North Carolina A&T State College in 1947. In 1951, he graduated with a B.S. in Architectural Engineering and was also called by the Army for active duty.
Girven’s military service took him to Korea and Germany where he put his civil engineering training to good use. He retired in 1970 and worked as an architect, real estate appraiser, and VA housing inspector.
He was a member of Good Shepherd United Methodist Church in Dale City, Virginia.
Girven is survived by children, Janis Girven, Eric Girven, Paula King, and Marcia Green, and grandchildren Jasmin and Summer.
Family will receive friends from 3pm to 6pm on Sunday, July 28, 2013 at Mountcastle Turch Funeral Home, 4143 Dale Blvd. Dale City, Va. A Life Celebration service will be held at 11am Monday, July 29, 2013 at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, 14999 Birchdale Ave. Woodbridge, VA. Interment will follow at Quantico National Cemetery, Triangle, VA.
