Richard Dale Griffin

Richard Dale Griffin (Papa) went home to be with our Heavenly Father on Monday, February 6, 2017. Services will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, February 13, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Chapel. A private burial for family will follow at Waco Memorial Park. Visitation will be 6:00-8:00 p.m., Sunday, February 12, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey. Richard was born November 14, 1935, to John Arlin and Ruby Faye Griffin in Hamlin, Texas. He grew up a farm boy in Axtell, Texas, where the family moved in the late 1940s. He attended Midway High School and graduated in 1955. He excelled in football when he was the team captain of the Midway Panthers in 1954 and 1955, under the infamous Coach M.T. Rice. He was inducted into the Midway Hall of Fame in 2014, along with his 1954 Regional Champions football team. He also was a standout athlete in basketball, baseball, and ran track. Upon graduation, he attended Kilgore Junior College, where he played football for a year before he moved back to Waco to marry the love of his life, Barbara (Bobi) Ann Sullins. They were married on September 28, 1956, and to their union four boys were born: Richard (Richy) Harold, Randall (Randy) Arlin, Ronald (Ronny) Dale, and Rodney (Rod) Lee. He spent his professional career with General Tire, Rocket Dyne Division, General Dynamics, and L3 Communication where he retired in 2003. After a long successful career and enjoying a little retirement, he worked for FEMA until 2016. His hard work and community involvement started at a very young age, Richard was one of five fine gentleman that proudly built the Broughton baseball fields and started Midway Little League in 1960. This is where Richard coached his four sons and would eventually coach his grandson, Josh Griffin, some 20 years later. He was also responsible for starting the Midway Pop Warner football program where he would go on to coach his Griffin boys. His love for sports and kids carried on until 1996, when he retired from being a high school and collegiate football official after 30 years. Richard also served on the Texas High School Sports Hall of Fame committee until his passing. Richard’s most memorable times were spent on the fields or in the stands supporting his kids, grandkids, and great grandkids. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Ruby Griffin; brother, Freddy Ray Griffin; sister, Johnny Faye Hastings; and son, Rodney (Baby Lee) Lee Griffin. He is survived by his beautiful wife of 61 years, Barbara Ann Griffin; sons, Richard Harold Griffin and wife, Debbie, of Waco, Randall Arlin Griffin of China Spring, and Ronald Dale Griffin and wife, Denise, of China Spring; daughter-in-law, Tanya Griffin of Mt. Calm, Texas; nine grandchildren, Joshua Don Griffin, Lacey Reney Griffin, Tiffany Marie Griffin, Tiffany Nicole Battles and husband, Darren, Jeffery Ryan Griffin, Alexis Jarrell and husband, JJ, Lindsey Marie Griffin, Colton Lee Griffin, and Jaislyn Rose Griffin; five great grandchildren, Bradley Cooper Romine, James Connor Romine, Hudson Reid Griffin, Hunter Lee Battles, and Tynsley Ray Battles; one brother, Cecil Griffin and wife, Dale, of Bruceville-Eddy; sisters, Joretta and husband, James Bryan, of Houston, Eula and husband, Bobby Chapman, of Lorena, and Juanita Auberry of Crowley; sister- in-law, Joyce Griffin of Lorena; and a slew of Griffin nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Paul Ray Hastings, Randy Levi, Boyd Hobbs, Darren Battles, JJ Jarrell, Curtis Kilgore, James Bryan, Bobby Chapman, Colton Griffin and Jeffery Griffin. The family invites you to leave a message or memory on our “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.