EDWIN J. GRIFFIN, 88, known as “Jerrell” to family and friends, passed from this life on Tuesday February 24, 2015 as his home in Powderly. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 PM on Sunday March 1, 2015 in the chapel of Starrett Funeral Home with Rev. Bob Seale officiating. Private interment rites will be held in Evergreen Cemetery on Monday March 2, 2015.
Jerrell was born December 30, 1926, in Sumner, a son of Guy Houston and Lora Ethel Howie Griffin. He was a graduate of Paris High School, and attended Texas A & M. From 1944 to 1946, Jerrell proudly served his country in the U. S. Navy, serving on the USS C. K. Bronson, a destroyer, and saw action in the Pacific. Jerrell was on deck when the USS C.K. Bronson was anchored next to the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, and witnessed the Japanese surrender to Gen. Douglas MacArthur on September 2, 1945. He returned to Lamar County after the war, later becoming a member of the Sumner United Methodist Church. He became an avid golfer.
He first married Dorothy Fay Marcum, who preceded him in death in 1999, then on January 20, 2002 he married Robbie Keeling Buster, who survives. Also surviving is his stepson, James Ricky Exum and wife Jody, of Mineral Wells; a stepdaughter, Gail Exum Jones, of Jasper ; stepson Thomas R. Buster and wife JoAnn, of Republic, Missouri; grandchildren, James J.Exum and wife, Sara, of Waco, Audie and Lindsey Davis of Stephenville, Mark and Stacy Woolens, of Jasper, Dianne Woolens of Houston, Brian D. Buster, of Missouri; nephews Jeff Griffin and family of Paris, Don Griffin and son, Seth Griffin, of Oklahoma; Cousins Billy Dennis and wife Margie, and Leslie Howie and wife Sue, of Lamar County, and many other extended family members and friends. Also surviving are the caregivers who lovingly extended his days, Ruby Meeske and her husband Kenn, and Geraldine Fagan.
In addition to his parents and first wife, he was preceded in death by a brother, Larry Lee Griffin, and a sister, Mavis Christine Griffin.
Friends may register in Jerrell’s Book of Memories at www.starrettfunerals.com .
