Hal C. Griffin, 84, died on Wednesday, February 26 at Episcopal Church Home of Louisville. He was born December 1, 1929, a native of Hickman County, KY, the son of Henry Clay and LaVerne Threkeld Griffin. They preceded him in death as did his older sister, Jane Griffin Goldston.
Hal attended Central High School in Clinton playing basketball and working at the Hickman County Gazette. He graduated in 1947. He entered Georgetown College and transferred to University of Kentucky from which he received a Bachelor of Arts in journalism in 1951. During college he was active in Baptist Student Union, becoming statewide president in 1951. He later completed a Master of Arts in Political Science at UK in 1968.
He entered the Army after graduation, serving in active duty during the Korean War. His military service continued in the Army Reserve for an additional 26 years of service, achieving the rank of Colonel.
Hal’s career in public relations was spent primarily working in the Bell System for 31 years in various locations in the south including Atlanta, Birmingham and Louisville. He retired as a Public Relations Manager in 1991. He was a member of the Public Relations Society of America and a past president of the Bluegrass Chapter in Louisville. Following retirement, he volunteered with the Civil Air Patrol for seven years, helping to edit the Kentucky Wing bimonthly publication.
In every stage of life Hal was active in church work, most recently as a member at Westport Road Baptist. He served on the National Board of Directors of Ministering to Ministers and was active in Promise Keepers.
While in Office Candidate School in Fort Belvoir, VA, he met Mildred King, church secretary at First Baptist Church of Alexandria, VA, and they married there on September 1, 1954. Their marriage lasted until her death in 1988 and produced four children who survive: Zane Griffin Creamer (Jack), of Raleigh, NC, Harris Clay Griffin (Denise) of Knoxville, TN, Wren Griffin Harrington (Jon), New York, NY, and Dawn Griffin Corley (Jeff), of Birmingham, AL.
He became reacquainted with Hickman County native and retired school teacher, Delphine Cunningham Richards at the Central High School 40th class reunion and they were married on September 30, 1989. She survives as does her son, Neil Darren Richards of Nashville, TN. Her daughter, Lane Ann Richards Miller, passed away in 2010.
Hal was a proud “PawPaw” to 11 grandchildren who survive: Troy Creamer, Cary Creamer, Mont Creamer, Hayes Griffin, Trevor Harrington, Josh Corley, Ben Corley, Grant Miller, Jessie Miller, Mackenzie Miller and Reed Miller. Five nieces and a nephew also survive.
A celebration of Hal’s life will take place on Saturday, March 1, at St Luke’s Chapel of the Episcopal Church Home, 7504 Westport Road, Louisville, KY, officiated by Jon Cyrus, pastor of Prospect Baptist Church. The service will begin at 11:00 am after which the family will receive friends at a luncheon reception in the Parlor. A private burial will be held at Zachary Taylor National Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Ministering to Ministers Foundation, Inc. 501 Branchway Road North Chesterfield, VA 23236 or Alzheimer's Association Greater Kentucky and Southern Indiana 6100 Dutchmans Lane, Suite 401, Louisville, KY 40205.
Arch L. Heady and Son at Westport Village has been entrusted with arrangements.
Family and friends may sign his guestbook and leave memories at www.archlheadywestport.com
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