Joe was born in Hooks, Texas on December 20, 1922. He went to public schools in Austin Texas, attending Baker Elementary and University Junior High and graduating from Austin High School.
He entered the University of Texas in the fall of 1941 and transferred to Baylor University in the fall of 1942. In December of 1942, Joe was drafted into the United States Marines and served in the Fourth Marine Division. Joe took part in several campaigns in the Pacific Theater including the battle for Saipan. During that battle that, on June 28, 1944, Joe took a direct hit, shattering his right arm. After an arduous recovery, he married his sweetheart, Hazel Dean Lester on March 17, 1945 at Hyde Park Baptist Church in Austin, Texas. He continued his education earning his Bachelor of Science from the University of Texas and Master of Education, Master of Theology, and Doctorate of Ministry from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
With Hazel Dean by his side, Joe served as pastor to Bee Cave Baptist Church, Austin Texas,1945-1948; Elmont Baptist Church, Van Alstyne, Texas, 1948-1952; Fairview Baptist Church, Sherman Texas, 1952-1955, First Baptist Church, Abernathy, Texas, 1955-1961; North Side Baptist Church, Weatherford, Texas, 1961-1981. In 1981, life took a radical turn. Joe and Hazel Dean were appointed by the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention to serve as missionaries and were assigned to the Kanto Plains Baptist Church in Tokyo, Japan where they served from 1982-1987. Returning from Japan, Joe served as interim pastor to several churches in the Austin area as well as working for the Round Rock Independent School District. In addition, he taught the Caleb Sunday School class at First Baptist Church of Round Rock for more than 25 years. Joe concluded his ministry by serving as Chaplain and Director of Pastoral Care at the Pflugerville Care Center before retiring from the ministry at the age of 90.
To those who knew and loved him best, he was simply known as Brother Joe. The constant theme of his life was service to God and devotion to whoever was in need. He often said, “To know God’s will is man’s greatest knowledge. To do God’s will is man’s greatest achievement.” His love for his Savior permeated his ministry which spanned the globe and impacted thousands.
Joe is survived by his wife of 73 years, Hazel Dean Lester Griffin; his children, Les Griffin and wife, Betty, Joe R Griffin, Jr and wife, Susan, Janis Reeder and husband, Philip; grandchildren Emily Davis, Nathan Griffin, Naomi Nelson and Griffin Reeder; and 9 great-grandchildren.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Alice Griffin and siblings, Hall Griffin, Leslie Griffin, Burl Griffin, Inez Griffin, T.N. Griffin, and twin sister, Faye Edwards.
A Visitation for family and friends will be conducted on Sunday, October 14, 2018 at Cook Walden Capital Parks Funeral Home, 14501 N. IH 35, Pflugerville, Texas 78660, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. A celebration of his life will take place at First Baptist Church Round Rock, 306 Round Rock Ave, Round Rock, Texas 78664 at 11:00am on Monday, October 15, 2018.
