Gerald Griffin

Gerald ("Jerry") O'Russell Griffin passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 15, surrounded by family and loved ones. He was 88. Griffin was born in Silver City, New Mexico, and was raised by his maternal grandmother after both parents tragically passed away while he was very young. He attended the University of Texas at Austin and studied fine arts there. He was a lifelong advertising executive, rising through the ranks and ultimately becoming an ad agency owner. He married Mary Stehling in 1961 and moved to Odessa, Texas, where their four children were born. A few years later, the family moved to Lubbock, Texas, where his namesake agency, The Griffin Group, was founded. After Mary passed away, he met and married his second wife June McElrath in 1996. Upon retirement, the couple moved to a lakefront home in Granbury, Texas, where he was able to fulfill a lifelong dream of waking up in the morning, walking out the back door and going fishing. He also continued his passion for painting and has amassed an impressive portfolio of nearly 70 pastel paintings, most of which are commemorated in a coffee table book produced by his adult children. A man of deep faith and conviction, he also became extremely active in St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church where he served as an acolyte and took communion to the homebound. He was a man whose smile lit up the room and whose laugh was infectious.

Griffin is survived by his wife, June; daughters Cindy and Jennifer; sons Greg and Gerald O'Russell II ("Rusty"); sons-in-law Byron and Richard; daughter-in-law Jean and sister-in-law Jane, her husband Bowman and their son Brad. Also step-children Janna Meredith and her husband Al; Jami Sims; Jodi Sanders and her husband James.

Grandchildren: Brant Lundberg and his wife, Charlyn; Kimberly Bassett and her husband, Will; Catherine Lundberg and her fiancé, Andrew; Austin O'Russell Green and his partner, Madison Morrow; Marissa Green; Mary Jane Griffin and Elizabeth Griffin; Amanda and her husband Chad Wilhelm; Melissa and her husband Matt Crosby; Clif LaFreniere and his wife Savannah, Carson LaFreniere; Carli, Corbyn and Caleb Sanders.

Great Grandchildren: Siri Lundberg; Lilli, Reese, Paige and Brenden Estus; Charlie Bassett; Meredith and Charlie Wilhelm; Madyson, John Luke and Jacob Crosby; and Hope LaFreniere.

A Memorial Mass is scheduled for Saturday, October 5, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church in Granbury. A reception will follow at DeCordova Bend Country Club from noon to 2 p.m. Then a Graveside Service will be held on Monday, October 7, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Fredericksburg, Texas, which will be followed by a reception at St. Mary's Catholic Church Parish Hall at noon.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be given to People Helping People - Granbury https://granburyphp.org