Mr. Robert Earl Griffin

Bob was born to the late J. Earl and Eula B. Griffin, on December 24, 1934, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Bob graduated from USC, with his BA in Communications, then entered the United States Air Force. Bob became a pilot, and flew the B-25 Mitchell. He also served as a Public Relations Officer. Bob attained the rank of Captain in the Air Force Reserve.

After the Air Force, Bob earned his MBA from Harvard Business School. He combined his love of flying with his head for business, working approximately 12 years in the aerospace and transportation industries. He worked in upper management for several airlines, including Pan American World Airways.

Life took Bob back to Tulsa, and on November 23, 1977, he married his loving wife, Jean H. Griffin. Their mutual support and devotion to one another, and to their family, continued the full 46 years of their marriage. When they met, Bob was Vice-President of Marketing at Williams Realty Corp., and subsequently the Executive Vice-President of Downtown Tulsa Unlimited. Soon after marrying, they moved the family to New Orleans, LA, where Bob spent six years as Senior Vice-President, Finance, at Delta Steamship Lines Inc.

Towards the end of his career, Bob’s life-long interests in theatre, radio and communications led him into three different businesses in Texas: General Manager, Peter Wolf Concepts; Owner/ President, KZEE Radio station, and Owner/President of HighTech Signs. Bob retired from HighTech, after fulfilling his dream of building a successful business, having served clients such as the Texas Rangers and Dallas Cowboys.

While Bob’s most important focus was his family, he also was committed to community and church service. One of his deepest connections was to Rotary. Bob served as President of the Arlington Rotary Club 2004-2005. He earned the District Governor’s Cup that same year, and was honored as Rotarian of the Year for his District, in 2005-2006, as well as being a Paul Harris Fellow. He supported the Honduras water projects; started the Read with Rotary Adult Literacy project, and volunteered for Rotary at Webb Elementary School. Additionally, Bob was devoted to his church, serving in multiple capacities. He taught Economics at TCC; was an AWARE volunteer, and served on the Pantego Royalty Owners Association.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Jean; daughter, Cynthia Louise Griffin Poteet, and son, Scott Earl Griffin. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth and Chris Parker; son and daughter-in-law, Kenneth and Aimee Glass; son-in-law
Rev. David Poteet and daughter-in-law Kelly Poteet; five precious grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Bob loved each member of the family deeply, and all will dearly miss him.

A Celebration of Life is being held at Wade Funeral Home, Arlington, TX, March 23, 2024 at 10:00am. In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to Arlington Rotary Foundation, or the Second Church of Christ, Scientist, Fort Worth, TX.