George Lee Griffin of Baton Rouge, LA, passed away on June 8, 2023, at the age of 84, after a mighty fight with cancer. Lee was a man of deep faith, whose lasting impact will continue to inspire the family and community he leaves behind. Among numerous professional and civic accomplishments, he was most proud of the titles he carried as a devoted husband, son, brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend.
Born in Leavenworth, KS, to Arthur Dale and Catherine Griffin, Lee and his brother, A.D. (dec. 2009), moved to Dallas, Texas, at an early age. Lee was as athletic as he was academic, graduating from Highland Park High School as a football letterman and All-American diver. He chose to attend the University of Texas at Austin as a member of the diving team; studying Economics and enjoying his time in Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He graduated with honors and entered a Graduate Assistantship at Louisiana State University. Lee was awarded the Earhart Foundation Scholarship - awarded to only 20 economics students in the United States - graduating with a master’s in economics.
It was at LSU where Lee met his best friend for life and beautiful wife of 60 years, Elizabeth Barrett (Barrie) Lobdell. Their love story began when he was lecturing as a TA in the Business School and she approached him about a discrepancy she found in the lecture. She was correct. Lee and Barrie would make Baton Rouge their home and were blessed with three children, Lee, Bill, and Beth, all of whom graduated from University High School.
Following LSU, Lee joined the management training program at Louisiana National Bank, beginning his distinguished career in banking. He would later serve in the roles of Chairman, President and CEO of LNB, which became Premier Bancorp, and then as Chairman, President and CEO of Bank One, Louisiana (now Chase Bank) where he retired in 1999. Lee was a dedicated leader, driven to impact the broader banking industry and had numerous opportunities to do so, particularly in his time serving on the Board of Directors of VISA USA and VISA International, the Board of the American Bankers Association and as Chairman of its Government Relations Council, and as President of the Louisiana Bankers Association. He was also on the Board of Entergy Louisiana for several years.
Though Lee grew up a Texas Longhorn, his profound love for LSU developed into his lifelong identity as an LSU Tiger. Lee joined the LSU Foundation Board of Directors in 1981 and was the longest serving active member of the board until 2011, when he exited retirement to serve as President and CEO. Lee’s leadership will continue to impact the future of LSU.
Lee’s desire to serve his community materialized in numerous other capacities (Boards et. al.) across the State:
Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, St. James Place (founding Chairman), Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, Pennington Biomedical Research Foundation, The FISH, American Red Cross, Family Counseling Service Center, Baton Rouge Speech & Hearing Foundation, Louisiana Arts & Science Center, Rotary Club of Baton Rouge, Capital Area United Way, Baton Rouge Symphony, Boy Scouts of America, Friends of the Rural Life Museum, Baton Rouge Area Foundation, Louisiana Art & Science Museum, Public Affairs Research Council, Boys Club of America, Greater Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce, Baton Rouge Area Foundation, Council for a Better Louisiana, Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, The Young Leaders Academy of Baton Rouge, Inc., Association for Retarded Citizens, Community Fund for the Arts, L.S.U. Business Partnership Board for Excellence, LSU Manship School of Mass Communication, University Laboratory School Foundation, Baton Rouge Youth, Inc., and National Conference of Christians & Jews. Lee was also Chairman of the Louisiana Committee of 100 and Chair of the Select Council on Revenues and Expenditures in Louisiana's Future (SECURE).
Lee’s contributions to his community have been recognized through many awards during his life, highlights of which included:
LSU Hall of Distinction and the E.J. Ourso College of Business Hall Distinction, Fall 1998 LSU Commencement Speaker, Baton Rouge Speech & Hearing Foundation’s Volunteer Activist of the Year Award, National Conference of Christians and Jews Brotherhood Award, Greater Baton Rouge Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year, Greater Baton Rouge Business Report and Junior Achievement Hall of Fame’s 1996 Businessperson of the Year, Istrouma Area Council Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizen Award, and the Baton Rouge Speech & Hearing Foundation’s Volunteer Activist of the Year Award. Lee also had the honor of carrying the 1996 Olympic torch through Baton Rouge as a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee and was awarded the Highland Park High School Distinguished Alumni Award. He also served on the Louisiana State Civil Service Commission for 24 years.
Lee lived his life in reverence to God, serving St. James Episcopal Day School, St. James Episcopal Church, Episcopal High School, Iveson B. Noland Fund Committee for the Diocese of Louisiana, and Conference Center Committee for the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana.
Lee is survived by his wife, Barrie, his children, Lee (Leigh Ann) Griffin, Bill (Lisa) Griffin, Beth Griffin (Alan Miller), his grandchildren, Madeline and Jack Griffin, Lauren (Matthew) Morehead, Michael and Andrew Griffin, Alli (Collin) Yeargin, Anna Katherine (Austin) Jackson, Griffin Miller, great grandchildren Aubrey and Lydia Yeargin, and nephews Dale and Tom Griffin.
Lee left the following words to be shared at this time:
Life has been good, God has blessed me. Christ died for me. While life was very comfortable, I know that Heaven will be joyful, peaceful, and full of God’s love for all of us. It will be great to be with my loved ones who have preceded me, and I will await my loved ones I now leave behind.
I believe that God guided me into more than I could be. While I am guilty of some goofs, he protected me from catastrophes. He gave me loving and caring parents and a wife above all wives.
My children are my heart and soul. My in-laws a definite blessing. My Grandchildren gave me great joy and these great grandchildren are the apple of my eye.
The love of Christ, my family, good health, a reasonably successful business career, and financial security!! What else could anyone ask?
Now, on to an even better life.
Thanks to my loved ones who gave me so much happiness and love. I ask this of all of you. Don’t fret over what you don’t have and be grateful for what you do have. Just take what God has given you in terms of talents and max them.
Love you,
Dad/Papa
A Memorial service will be held at 10:30am on Tuesday, June 20th at St. James Episcopal Church. Visitation will be held 4:30 – 7:30pm the evening before at LSU Foundation (3796 Nicholson Dr. across from Tiger Stadium). The family asks that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to St. James Episcopal Church, St. James Episcopal School or St. James Place; or, the LSU Foundation, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, Baton Rouge Area Foundation.
To view and sign the online guestbook, please visit www.rabenhorst.com
