On Friday, Feb. 24, 2012, Judson Harmon Griff Griffy Jr. passed from this life to join his beloved wife, Billie Marie. He was 94 years of age and had enjoyed an active and full life until six months prior to his death.
He was born in Little Rock, Ark., but the family moved a short time later, eventually settling in Oklahoma City, where he attended public schools and graduated from Classen High School. By the time World War II had begun, he was married and a father. When the military began accepting men with dependents, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps, flying English Beaufighters and P-61s with the 417th Night Fighter Squadron. Following the war, he was employed in a variety of occupations before establishing the Griffy Sign Company, a fixture in Oklahoma City for 30 years.
On retirement, he and Billie traveled for several years before settling in Mead, Okla., where they volunteered in community organizations, played golf and enjoyed the company of many good friends. Those 19 years were some of the happiest of his life. In 2000, with the health of Billie Marie declining, the two made the difficult decision to leave family and friends in Oklahoma and move to Kerrville, Texas, to be close to their daughter. Despite their fears, once in Kerrville, each was able to develop special friendships, which they treasured. Griff was a man known for his quick wit and a good story. He had a genteel nature and was always willing to help others.
Griff was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, his parents and a sister.
Survivors include his daughter, Carolyn Lipscomb and husband, David; son, Judson H. Bo Griffy III; dear friend, Leon Phillips, who Griff loved like a son; four grandchildren, Douglas Lipscomb, Kim Gardiner, Jeff Griffy and Debbie Smith; five great-grandchildren, Travis Lipscomb, Austin Lipscomb, Tabitha Griffy, Shauna Sutton and Patrick Smith; a sister, Betty Wagner; two brothers, Thomas Griffy and wife, Penny and Ted Griffy; brother-in-law, Harry White; five sisters-in-law, Edith Prough, Dorothy Evans, Betty Laughlin, Bobby Hudgins and Beverly Ozmun; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
A remembrance service will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, March 10, at the Kerrville Schreiner Park Recreation Hall, 2385 Bandera Highway, Kerrville, Texas. Those attending must stop at Park Headquarters and sign in. For additional details, call 895-4232.
Those wishing to make a memorial donation may do so to Peterson Hospice, 1121 Broadway, Kerrville, TX 78028, or a charity of their choice.
