Clyde O. ‘Griff’ Griffin

Clyde O. “Griff” Griffin, 92, of Meadowlakes died June 13, 2012, with his family by his side. He was born in Louisville, Ky., on Sept. 20, 1919, to Clyde and Minnie F. Griffin.

Growing up during the Great Depression was a challenge for him and his family, so he started work as a paper boy at age 10, followed by a job in a grocery store. His first two jobs began a regimen of hard work and secured a strong sense of responsibility which persisted throughout his life.

At the encouragement of his mother, he enlisted in the Army Aviation Corps three days after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Being of slight stature, he ate a bag of bananas right before he weighed in and barely reached the minimum weight requirement. After basic training and graduating from flight school, he was stationed in Amarillo, where he met, courted and, after 13 weeks, married Mary A. Treager, who was the post adjutant’s secretary.

He was soon stationed in the South Pacific in New Caledonia, with a variety of assignments. One of his most memorable duties was flying in Bob Hope and Jack Benny to entertain the troops. He said, “Bob Hope never quit entertaining!”

He was later based in Honolulu until he was honorably discharged in 1946. An oral history of his experiences during World War II is in the archives of the Nimitz Educational and Research Center of the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg.

The couple moved to Louisville, where he worked at the Brown-Foreman Distillery. (He became a loyal advocate for and consumer of Early Times Kentucky Whisky!) In 1947, their son, David Treager Griffin, was born. Subsequently, his wife’s family lured them back to Amarillo with a business opportunity. It was there that their daughter, Merianne, was born in 1952.

The young family moved to Marble Falls in 1954, and he bought The Toggery on Main Street, a men’s clothing and dry-cleaning establishment. Two years later, John Nunnally, mayor and local businessman, offered him a partnership in his insurance company. He became successful in this field and was still involved in it until shortly before his death. Nunnally, Griffin and Dockery (NGD), which began in 1967, was a highly respected insurance and real estate firm in Marble Falls. He liked to refer to himself as the “middle man.” He sold his interest in the company at age 65 but continued selling life and health coverage under the name of Clyde Griffin Insurance.

After their children left the nest, the couple traveled extensively. They became involved in the world of chili cook-offs, participating as competitors and judges. They received many awards and made lifelong friends. In fact, in 1972, they were involved in the creation of the Howdy Roo Chili Cook-Off, and she won first place in the women’s division, which was followed by victories in Luckenbach and Terlingua. He was the 1982 Chilihead of the Year in Terlingua. Remarkably, he was in attendance every year at the Howdy Roo event from its inception through 2012.

The couple were instrumental in the beginning stages of the local emergency medical services. He even drove the ambulance in those early days. The Marble Falls Public Library and the Marble Falls/Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce, among many other community endeavors, also benefitted from their enthusiasm. The walls of their  den and office are covered with numerous awards he received during his many years of dedication to the community he so dearly loved. His role as chairman of the board of the Marble Falls Housing Authority, now known as the Texas Housing Foundation, was very important to him. He was also passionate about his work with the Marble Falls Helping Center. He served on too many boards and committees to list, and he was always eager to help make Marble Falls a better place for all.

The two were active members of First United Methodist Church until she passed in 2004 after a long illness. He was devoted to her and was able to provide her with care at home during those difficult times — he was always an unselfish and loving mate. They were happily married for almost 61 years.

In 1954, he joined the Rotary Club of Marble Falls. Through the years, many honors were bestowed upon him, including an honorary membership in 2010. He was also a Paul Harris Fellow +5, a White Hat Society member and was inducted into the Rotary District 5870 Roll of Fame. He truly personified Rotary International’s motto: “Service Above Self.” He was generous in giving Paul Harris Fellowships to others.

Because of his affectionate nature, he turned his attention to a longtime friend who seemed to have a lot in common with his interests and endeavors. On Nov. 20, 2005, he and Nance exchanged their marriage vows aboard a cruise ship in Galveston Bay with Al Sochor, vice president of Old Surety Life Insurance Co., officiating.  A delightful honeymoon with family and friends followed. The Church at Horseshoe Bay soon became their church home. They also read a daily devotional together each morning.

She obtained her insurance license in 2007, and they entered into a different type of partnership — Griffin and Griffin Insurance. Their life together was punctuated by complete devotion to one another and caring for others.  This ultimately brought about genuine happiness and spiritual fulfillment. Since they started later in life, they acknowledged the 20th of each month with cards, flowers and a dinner date. Consequently, they celebrated their 78th anniversary in May.

In addition to his wife, survivors include son David Griffin and wife Frances of Deerfield, Ill.; daughter Merianne Wininger and husband Ron of Houston; grandchildren Meredith Castro and husband Tom and their daughter Emma, Brad Griffin and wife Bethany and their daughter Cayden, all of Chicago, Katherine Evans and husband John of Chesterfield, Mo., and Lauren Schauer and husband Austin of Round Rock; brother Lee Griffin and wife Mona of Louisville, Ky.; niece Linda Vaughn and husband Larry of Bowling Green, Ky.; cousin Bill Griffin of Louisville, Ky.; and stepdaughter Caron Murchison, stepson Trey Murchison and wife Paige and stepgrandson Dawson Murchison, all of Colleyville.

A memorial service is 4 p.m. June 23 at The Church at Horseshoe Bay with the reverends Pete Christy and Johnny White officiating.

Donations may be made to The Church at Horseshoe Bay, the Rotary Foundation, Marble Falls Area EMS, the Marble Falls Helping Center or to a charity of choice.

Condolences may be offered at www.clementswilcoxfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements by Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home, 1805 U.S. 281 in Marble Falls, (830) 693-4373.