Last updated on August 25th, 2022 at 02:50 pm
George Washington “G.W.” Griffin, 85, died Monday, Dec. 19, from complications of pneumonia. He was the past chairman of Kentucky-based Laurel Grocery Co.
Born Feb. 28, 1926, in East Bernstadt, Ky., Griffin attended the Kentucky Military Institute, Wake Forest University and graduated from the University of Kentucky, where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity. Having served in World War II, he was a proud veteran of the United States Navy.
Griffin was a member of First Baptist Church. He was a founding member and past president of the London Country Club and longtime member of Biltmore Forest Country Club. He served on the board of trustees of the University of Kentucky for 16 years, which is how he met his “partner in crime” and close friend, the late Dr. Otis Singletary.
In addition to serving as chairman of Laurel Grocery Co., Griffin was the former chairman of Cumberland Valley National Bank, Institutional Distributors, London Rotary Forms, and the Food Marketing Education Council (the Red Coats). He was a board member of Cumberland College, National-American Wholesale Grocers Association, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Appalachian Computer Systems, and Kentucky Grocers Association. He was an initial inductee into the Kentucky Grocers Hall of Fame.
An avid golfer and thoroughbred horse owner/racing enthusiast, Griffin traveled all over the world to pursue his passions, but his favorite place was always the great state of Kentucky. A diehard UK fan, Griffin never missed a home football game until he became too ill to attend.
Griffin is survived by his wife of 53 years, Elizabeth Park “Sis” Griffin; sister, Margaret Fouts of Lacey, Wash.; children, Elizabeth (Hal) McCoy of Hopkinsville, Ky., George William (Becky) Griffin of Lexington, Ky., and Winston (Shannon) Griffin of London, Ky.; and five grandchildren, Winston Park Griffin, Charlotte Grace Griffin, Griffin Bell McCoy, Catherine Rose Griffin and Bella James Griffin. Griffin was preceded in death by his brother, William “Bill” Griffin.
Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. today, Dec. 20, at House-Rawlings Funeral Home, 510 E. 4th St. in London, Ky. The family requests donations be made to George W. Griffin Charitable Scholarship Trust, PNC Institutional Investments, Attn: Lauren Middleton, 1900 East 9th St., Cleveland, OH 44114.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21, at First Baptist Church, 804 W. 5th St. in London, with Dr. Terry Lester officiating. Burial will follow in A.R. Dyche Memorial Park. Laurel Grocery Co. offices will be closed from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday to allow employees to attend the funeral.
