Jonathan Craig Griffin, Sr.

Jonathan Griffin, Sr. died peacefully on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, in Houston, Texas with both of his sons by his side.  He was 79 years old.

Jonathan was born March 2, 1945, in Dallas, Texas to the late Hudson Griffin, Sr. and Tina Griffin (Bluitt).  He was the second oldest of four boys.  Jonathan grew up a member of the New Friendship Baptist Church and throughout his life touched countless lives through sports coaching, mentoring, and just being a friend to anyone who wanted advice.

He graduated from Dallas Madison High School in 1963 as a lettered basketball, football player, and track star and went on to attend Prairie View A&M in Prairie View, Texas, and Bishop College in Dallas. Jonathan would join Eastman Kodak in Dallas in 1966 as a Janitor and spent the next 20+ years rising through the ranks to become the Leader of the Film Development department eventually.

Jonathan opened his home to all the kids in the neighborhood and provided a welcoming place for so many.  He introduced sports and coached both of his sons in basketball and was a fixture at all little leagues through high school sporting events in Dallas.

Remaining to cherish Jonathan’s memory are brother, Hudson Griffin Jr.; sons, Jonathan Griffin Jr. (and wife Bridgette) and Jason Griffin; niece, Nicole Griffin; nephew, Marcus Griffin; grandchildren, Amelia Asante, Jonathan (Trey) Griffin III, Joshua Griffin, Chloe Griffin, and Nylah Griffin; stepchildren, Tamela Bennett, Tori Bennett-Foutz, and Todd Bennett; cousin, Phillip Bluitt and a host of step-grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews and  friends.

Preceding Jonathan in death are his wife, Mary Bennett-Griffin; brothers, Garfield Griffin and Reginald Griffin; sister-in-law, Silva Griffin; and his nephew, Hudson Griffin III.

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