John Lane Griffin

John Lane Griffin had a voice like a mountain.

John loved the mountains. Those who loved him cherished his unmistakable deep booming voice that carried like rolling thunder over the ridges. He sang with a beautiful resonating bass voice that he employed in the praise of the Lord. Singing was something that he loved to do, until the end of his days. Even then, his countenance would immediately light up and his lips would move to the lyrics of his favorite hymns. Those who knew him as a high school history teacher remember his voice engaging his audience with stories about the great heroes of the American Revolution. His raft guides remember that same voice making that all-to familiar commanding wake up call each morning with his announcement of “Ok Folks, Boots and Saddles!”

He was a man who spent much time in the mountains backpacking and snow skiing. His best friends who often backpacked with him each winter tell and retell stories about “Big John” tromping miles through the snow by himself at night to rendezvous with his backpacking group in the most foreboding of conditions. They’ll recall hearing that deep jovial greeting as he emerged from the dark, the snow, and woods, despite their having conclusively decided that “there’s no way he would have tried to make it through this snow.”

There are countless stories that are told involving John’s adventures (and some misadventures) while paddling the many whitewater rivers of the Southern Appalachians that he loved. His whitewater rafting company on the Nantahala River was not only his place of business, but where a wonderful circle of friends would gather each summer to work on the river. Each evening, dad would cook a mess of food for any who would join him, a group that was quite often very large and equally diverse. John made it a point to use his powerful voice to begin the meal by giving thanks in a sincere prayer to the Heavenly Father, following it up with the words, “Let’s Eat!”. As folks sat around his table, he could be counted on to share the gospel message articulating his point with scriptural references, fulfilling his Savior’s commission to “go forth and make disciples” at every opportunity.

John’s own fervent and sure hope of salvation filled his heart and flowed from his lips until his last days. When his beautiful deep booming voice that could once seemingly shake the mountains had all but left him, some of the final coherent phrases he could utter to his family around his bedside in his last weeks were to “trust in the Lord.”

The voice of John, that man of the mountains, will be missed by the many people whose lives he impacted, including former students, employees, clients, fellow adventurers, strangers, friends, and family. The far more powerful voice of his savior has called him home to heaven. John’s beautiful voice will doubtlessly be employed in the praising of his savior in Glory once again.

John and his late wife Laurie were faithfully married for 47 years. He raised his children, Matthew and Abigail, to know and trust only in the Lord for their salvation. As a result of John’s impact on his own family, his Grandchildren, including Amelia and Mac Griffin, Zeb Wyatt, and Zeb’s two expected twin sisters are being raised in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

A graveside service for John will be held Friday, September 8, 2023 at 10:00 am at Cannon Memorial Park, 1150 N Main St, Fountain Inn, SC 29644. A memorial service will begin at 2:00 pm followed by a visitation at Second Presbyterian Church, 105 River St, Greenville, SC 29601.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in John's memory may be made to Second Presbyterian Church Missions using the link below.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mackeycenturydrive.com for the Griffin family.