Jerry Don “Radar” or “Doc” Griffin, 70, of Hamshire, died Monday, June 22, 2009, at the Medical Centers of Southeast Texas.
Born October 17, 1938 in Deport, Texas, Jerry was a 1957 graduate of Beaumont High School and received an Associate of Arts certificate from Pensacola Junior College in 1972. He served in the Navy from 1958 to 1979, including two tours in Vietnam with Fleet Marine Force until retiring from the Navy as Master Chief Hospital Corpsman. He then worked for Zapata/Arethusa until retirement after eighteen years of service and also retired from Transocean Offshore Company after five years of service.
Jerry was also a member of several organizations including the Tustin, California Masonic Lodge # 241, the Tolerance Lodge #1165, AF & AM, Santa Ana California Scottish Rite 32nd Degree Nile Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S. of Seattle, Washington. He was a past patron of the Order of Eastern Star for the New Braunfels, Texas Chapter # 771, the Wisteria Chapter #823 of Beaumont and a member of the Commandry Chapter # 38 of Beaumont. Jerry also volunteered driving disabled veterans to the V.A. Hospital twice a week.
His daughter, Suzanne Griffin Malone; and son, “Baby” John Allen Griffin preceded him in death.
Survivors include his mother, Ellen Josephine Williams; wife, Lydia Griffin; daughters, Dawna Griffin of Eugene, Oregon, Jolene Griffin and Crystal Lopera, both of Beaumont; son, Gary Griffin of Eugene, Oregon; grandsons, Thomas “T.J.” Malone, Troy Malone, Dylan Griffin, Aiden Taylor, Tristan Esty and Ethan Esty; granddaughters, Cassidy Griffin and Sydney Griffin; brother, Charles W. Griffin; aunts, Reba Temple and Bobbie Bailey; niece, Gabrielle Griffin; nephew, Mark Griffin; and numerous cousins and friends.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 26, 2009, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont with burial to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. A gathering of his family and friends will be 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, June 25, 2009, at the mortuary.
Memorial contributions may be made to Marine Corps Vietnam Helicopter Association, 414 Tala Drive, Concord, North Carolina 28027 or First Baptist Church of Hamshire, 25304, Highway 124, Hamshire, Texas 77622.
