Jack Griffin

Jack Dempsey Griffin, beloved husband, father, and grandfather passed away January 2, 2013.

He was born June 20, 1923 in Red Level, Alabama and later moved to Seabring, Florida with his father, brothers and sister where he graduated high school. After graduating he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps, and in 1940 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Following his honorable discharge he worked at the atomic bomb plant in Hanford, Washington. He left the atomic bomb plant to search for his brother, Marcus, who was in the merchant marines and was missing after his ship, the SS E.A Bryan, exploded at the Naval Ammunition Depot at Port Chicago, California in 1944. He learned that his brother was killed in the explosion and then joined the Merchant Marines to honor his brother. Once he left the Merchant Marines he moved to Meadville, Pennsylvania where he met his wife Hazel in 1952. Shortly thereafter he and Hazel moved to Texas where they became permanent residents of Santa Fe and began their family. He worked as a process operator at Union Carbide in Texas City, Texas until his retirement in 1978. He was a Master Mason in good standing for 57 years and was a charter member of the John Mitchell Masonic Lodge in Hitchcock, Texas and an affiliated member of the Texas City Masonic Lodge. His love for his family was unconditional and boundless, and he unselfishly sacrificed his needs before the needs of his family. As the patriarch of the family he was deeply loved, respected and revered by his family and his passing is a loss too great to measure.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife Hazel father William Peyton FranklinGriffin, mother Alice FranklinGriffin Cassidy brothers Marcus and Marvin and sister Clara.

He is survived by daughter Dr. Lisa C. RouthDeLaGarza and husband Shawn son Marcus J. Griffin and wife Sandra Smith grandchildren Jaclyn Routh Burket, twins Mallory and Alexander Routh, twins Kelsey and Brenna Routh, and Jack Griffin greatgrandchildren, Trustin and Scarlet Burket and nephew, Bill Griffin.

A memorial service will held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, January 12th at EmkenLinton Funeral Home in Texas City, Texas. Following the service, family and friends are welcome to join the family at the home of Marcus and Sandy Griffin.