James Judge Griffin

James Judge Griffin (“Jim”) was 90 years old when he passed on November 15th, 2025. Jim was incredibly intelligent and worked hard as an engineer and businessman for almost 50 years. He was curious, driven, industrious and charming with a mischievous sense of humor. Jim made it possible for all his children and grandchildren to receive great educations and comfortable lives. He was a devoted husband to Jane, his wife of 23 years, and a supportive and loving father and grandfather. Jim touched the lives of many – all the way from Leeds, Alabama, to St. Tropez, France. He loved to travel, especially by boat with himself in the captain's chair. We will deeply miss Jim’s contagious laugh, quick wit, and fierce loyalty.

Jim was born in Leeds, Alabama, on August 16th, 1935, to Joseph Wyeth (“Skip”) and Julia Judge. He was the youngest of two and loved spending time with his sister, Julie. Jim graduated from Ramsey High School in Birmingham, Alabama in 1953, where he excelled. Fellow students referred to him as “the cutest blonde in school.”

Jim majored in engineering at Vanderbilt University and graduated in 1957. He was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, where he made lifelong friends.

Following graduation from Vanderbilt, Jim served in the US Navy. His service included voyages across the world on many different ships, including the U.S.S. Steinmaker, where Jim worked as the chief engineer. His experience on the water cemented his love for sailing.

After serving in the Navy, Jim received his MBA from Emory University in Atlanta where he met and eventually married Sylvia Smith in 1961. Together they had two daughters, Laura and Rachel. Each daughter had three children providing Jim with six grandchildren. He cared deeply for his family and made sure everyone always had what they needed.

After retiring from military service, Jim embarked on a career as an engineer for various companies, including the Trane company. In the early 1980s, Jim spotted an opportunity to provide outsourced facilities and operations management services, and founded Griffin Services, Inc in 1982. In the mid-1990s, the company's business focus shifted to providing base operations support services to the Department of Defense. Jim loved working hard for his country. Throughout his management of Griffin Services, Jim was supportive of his colleagues and their development. The company developed steadily and was eventually sold in 2001 to a British shipbuilding company, VT Group. Jim stayed on as chairman until 2004, when he retired.

Retirement gave Jim a chance to pursue his love of sailing. Jim and Jane spent years enjoying sailing up and down the East Coast on Jim’s beloved boats, always named the Jubilee. They spent much of Jim’s retirement exploring Europe. Jim’s travel logs describe international friendships and giving away Jubilee memorabilia to a lucky few. His family thinks fondly of Fourth of July celebrations in Annapolis and celebrating his 80th birthday in Block Island.

In the last 4 years of his life, Jim and Jane lived at Canterbury Court. After many years of travel, Jim greatly enjoyed settling down in this community and cultivating new friendships. Staff and neighbors alike remember Jim as caring, kind, and silly. He will be deeply missed.

Central to Jim’s life was his devotion to his church, First Presbyterian Church in Atlanta. Jim was grateful for his close relationship with senior pastor, Tony Sundermeier.

Jim was predeceased by his daughter, Emily Rachel Griffin Rushton. He is survived by his wife, Jane Griffin; his sister, Julie Cooper; his daughter, Laura Griffin Farrell; sons-in-law, Kirby Farrell and Richard Rushton; daughter-in-law, Jody Rushton; step-sons, Rob Flowers and Swaim Flowers; as well as all his grandchildren, James Ramarushton and his wife Banan, William Rushton and his fiancée Malin, Jonathan Rushton, Jackie Farrell, Griffin Farrell, and Anna Farrell. While Jim only ‘met’ his great-granddaughters, Florence Rushton and Poppy Ramarushton, on FaceTime, he could not wait to tell us all the news and was so proud of our new family additions. Jim will also be missed by multiple nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, December 7th at 2:00pm, at First Presbyterian Church. Jim will be buried in Leeds, Alabama, in Shiloh Cemetery, where his parents have already been laid to rest. Memorial gifts may be made to First Presbyterian Church or The Canterbury Court Resident Council Employee Appreciation Fund.