James Griffin (Lebanon)'s Obituary
James Clarence Griffin, son of Junior and Doris Randles Griffin, was born April 1, 1951, in Lebanon, Missouri. He departed this life Friday, July 22, 2016, in the University of Missouri Medical Center, in Columbia, Missouri, at the age of sixty-five years, three months, and twenty-one days.
On December 23, 1977, he was united in marriage to Judy A. Kelso, and to this union one daughter and two sons were born.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Justin W. Griffin, and Homer and Lula Dampier, who raised him as their son.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of thirty-eight years, Judy, of the home; a son, Clint Griffin, of Eldridge, Missouri; a daughter Mary Ann MacDonald, and her husband, Scott, of Las Vegas, Nevada; a brother, Raymond Griffin, of College Park, Maryland; a number of nieces and nephews; a special aunt, Nora Canida, of Marshall, Missouri; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
He was raised in the Lebanon area, and graduated from Lebanon High School in the Class of 1969. He then earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture Education from Missouri State University in 1973. After he and Judy were married, they made their home on their farm near Eldridge and lovingly raised their children. Jim took great pride in raising beef cattle and continually improving the farm. He was an insurance agent with Mutual Insurance for several years. He had also served on the local board of directors of Missouri Farmers Association (MFA) where he was secretary for a number of years.
Jim had professed his faith in Christ and was a member of First Baptist Church in Lebanon. Through the years, he attended other churches in the area.
In his spare time he enjoyed hunting, searching for arrowheads, and listening to Bluegrass music. He enjoyed traveling and liked taking nature trips and visiting different local historic attractions. He was a very generous man, and was always willing to help his neighbors. He loved to tease and make people laugh. His family was very important to him and he loved his children very much.
Jim was a loving husband, father, brother, uncle, nephew, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and know that his family and friends will treasure the wonderful memories he made for them during his lifetime.
Memorial donations may be made to the Crisis Pregnancy Center, and left at the funeral home.
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