Charles Henry Griffin

Dr. Charles Henry Griffin, 94, of Austin, Texas, retired Professor of Accounting at the University of Texas, died at home on July 29, 2016. The oldest resident of the Cambridge Tower, he had also lived there longer than any other resident, having maintained a home in the building since it opened fifty-one years ago in 1965.

Charles was born July 3, 1922, in Blooming Grove, Texas, the son of Lindsay I. Griffin and Fay Pruitt Griffin. The family moved to Corsicana, Texas when Charles was young. He graduated from Corsicana High School in three years as salutatorian. For the four years following his high school graduation, the family lived in Austin where Charles and his two older brothers were enrolled in the University of Texas. During his college years, he was a member of Phi Kappa Psi, Beta Gamma Sigma, Beta Alpha Psi, Delta Sigma Psi and the UT Longhorn Band and graduated with a BBA degree in 1942.

He then entered the Navy to serve in WWII as a commissioned officer in both the Atlantic and Pacific Theaters on Naval hospital ships including the U.S.S. Mercy. According to James Forrestal, the Secretary of the Navy during WWII, "You (Charles) have served in the greatest Navy in the world." He was also initiated into the Ancient Order of the Date Line and the Ancient Order of the Deep, having crossed the 180th Meridian and the Equator respectively while on this ship.

After the War, he returned to the University of Texas to earn his MBA in 1948, and his PhD in 1953. During his career, he worked as an accountant in Dallas and became a CPA in 1949. Once he completed his education, he taught full-time until his retirement from the University of Texas in 1993. He held professorships at The University of Cincinnati, the University of Illinois, North Texas University, and the University of Texas at Austin, where he taught for many years. Among his visiting appointments were those at San Diego State University, the University of Arizona, the University of South Carolina, and several English universities, including those at Birmingham, Manchester and London. Dr. Griffin was selected for outstanding teaching awards from student polls on a number of occasions and many former students remained life-long friends. He was the author or co-author of several academic textbooks and numerous journal articles. Charles was a member of the American Institute of CPAs, the Texas Society of CPAs, and the American Accounting Association and served as Editor of The Accounting Review from 1967-70.

Charlie, as he was known to his family, was predeceased by his parents and brothers, Lindsay I. Griffin, II; Fred D. Griffin, Sr.; and George Pruitt Griffin. Surviving him are nephews Fred D. Griffin, Jr. (Lisa) and Lindsay I. Griffin, III (Patricia) and nieces Margaret Griffin Baze (Bob) and Martha Griffin Nailling (Bob). Great nieces and nephews are Elizabeth Baze Berzin (Edward), Benjamin Baze (Cia), Will Griffin, David Griffin, Andrew Nailling, David Nailling, Todd Herndon and Drew Herndon. Great-grand nieces and nephews are Isabelle, Benjamin, Jacqueline, and Samantha Berzin and Roy and Charles Baze.

Charlie also considered the family of Tom and Susan Williams and Nancy and Steve Best as his own family. To the Williams/Best family - their children, grand-children, great grand-children, and friends, he was always "Uncle." This lifelong friendship began in 1956 when he was Tom Williams' professor at the University of Cincinnati. Tom eventually became a professor himself and the two co-authored a number of editions of Advanced Accounting. The four Williams children grew up with lively conversations of university politics and UT football at the dinner table with "Uncle" and enjoyed his Dunkin Donuts treats every Sunday morning. All four Williams children: Paul Williams, Charles (Chuck) Williams, Valerie Williams Branch, and Pam Williams Rush were very dear to him. Together they made sure he had the best care over the past three years as his health declined.

Everyone who knew Charlie knew that he was an avid sports enthusiast and loyal Longhorn fan. He was also committed to his own physical fitness and exercised almost every morning at Gregory Gym on the UT campus until he was almost 90 years old. He was also active in the University Methodist Church beginning with his arrival in Austin in 1938.

Though Charlie/"Uncle" never married and had children of his own, he had six namesakes in his family and his adopted family. They are Benjamin Charles Baze, Charles Hadley Baze, Bradley Charles Williams, Charles William Branch, Charles Thomas Williams and Charles Louis Williams. Sadly, Charles (Chuck) Williams passed away earlier this year.

The families greatly appreciate the loving care and great kindness shown by Visiting Angels caregivers over the last three years, especially Vincencia Anyanwu, Eronessa Ellis, Yasmine Herrera, Jean Lynch, Frances Marshall, Rita Sai-Palm and Katherine Winfield.

Whether we called him "Charlie" or "Uncle," we are thankful for his long life and his part in our lives. To celebrate this wonderful man and our memories of him, there will be a visitation reception for friends and family at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home on N. Lamar Tuesday evening, August 2nd from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. The Reverend Steve Best will conduct the funeral and burial services. The funeral will be at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home on Wednesday, August 3rd at 10:00am and the burial will follow immediately afterwards at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, a charitable donation may be made to the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation).

Obituary and memorial guestbook available online at www.wcfish.com