Roy Lee Griffin

ROY LEE GRIFFIN was born on the day after Christmas, December 26th, 1919, in Ivanhoe, Texas, to Zella and Charlie Griffin. The Griffin family were pioneers in this area of Fannin County at the Red River, arriving from Tennessee in early 1870. Roy grew up with older brother David, and younger sisters Frankie and Mary. His baby sister Charlie Faye died in early childhood. He learned farming from his father, and spent many a Saturday wrestling with other boys in front of the Court House in Bonham. The family was well-acquainted with Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn who represented the area for many years. Roy lived in Honey Grove and in Paris, Texas before moving to Dallas to work for the Ford Motor Company, where he worked during the early years of The War. He came to Houston to work in the shipbuilding effort, and while in Houston he met LaMerle Reeves of Garrison, Texas. Their first real date began when she brought Roy to visit her church, Berean Baptist in The Heights. The couple were married at Berean on September 19, 1943 following the Sunday morning worship service. Not long thereafter, Roy was called to military service. After expressing a preference to join the Navy, he was informed that he was headed for the Marine Corps. After training with the 1st Marine Division, he shipped out to Saipan as part of the 8th Marine Regiment of the 2nd Marine Division. After Saipan, he saw action on Tinian; and the 8th Marines took an active role in the Battle of Okinawa and the surrounding smaller islands. Following the Japanese surrender, Roy was among the first group of Marines deployed to Nagasaki, Japan, in September 1945, as part of the occupation forces, where he remained until his discharge in July 1946. Roy was always proud of his service and of being a United States Marine. Roy and LaMerle settled back in Houston after the war and lived in the area for all of their 70 years of marriage. They had two daughters, Sandra and Kerri, and Roy was the quintessential little girls’ daddy. He was devoted to his family and was by nature protective and kind. Simply put, he was a softie with an active sense of humor, who could turn a witty phrase, and who could fix anything with a motor. The grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the light of his life: Danice Garland, Paul Kasper, Kyle Kasper and Kris Roebuck grew up with a loving Papa. He was blessed with longevity to see his beloved great-grandchildren grow up. Taylor, Alex, Miranda, Ansley and Angelina were his pride and joy. He retired with 50 years active membership in Local Pipefitter’s Union 211 of the UA. He was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the Arabia Shrine of Houston. Roy was a life-long Christian and the family is comforted to know that he’s with the Lord Jesus Christ, upon whom he faithfully trusted and relied.