Edward "Ed" Daniel Griffin

Ed grew up in Moultrie, GA where he became a football and track star at Moultrie High School throwing the discus and playing both tackle and linebacker and was deemed the fastest man on the team. He signed with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and went on to play tackle on both sides of the ball. He was part of one of Georgia Tech’s finest teams, the 1962 Yellow Jackets who defeated the National Champion Alabama Crimson Tide 7-6 in the nation’s biggest game that season. He graduated as an Industrial Engineer and was signed by the Los Angeles Rams. He went on to play linebacker for them until his duty was called by the United States Army. There he became the Aide de’ Camp to two Generals at Fort Benning. In 1970 he left his service in the Army to go out into the business world. He began his career at the W C Bradley Co and later went on to become owner and CEO of Pekor Iron Works. He later earned his MBA from Columbus College. He was deeply passionate about community service. He served as a long-time member of the board of directors for Columbus Regional Healthcare System and its affiliates. He was past President of the Kiwanis Club and the Columbus Aquatic Club and Chairman of both the YMCA and Goodwill Industries. In 1997 he was honored by the Georgia Hospital Association with the Distinguished Service Award. He worked hard and played hard. Sports were never out of his competitive blood and he went on to become an accomplished competitive sailor of Catalina 22’s. Ed loved hunting and fishing along with golf, but sailing was his passion. He was inducted in the Colquitt County Sports Hall of Fame in 2002. He was loved and respected by many and will be missed eternally.

Ed married his childhood sweetheart, Shirley Shepard Griffin in 1960 and were inseparable since. Ed and Shirley had three children, Cindy Haynes (Keith), Ed Griffin, Jr. and Jonathan Griffin (Shannon). Ed had six grandchildren: Haley Bennett (David), Erin Thornton (Mike), Garrett Bonham (Mac) Averett Griffin, Isabella Griffin and Brenner Griffin. He had six great grandchildren: Brooks Bennett, Addison Bennett, Heath Thornton, Elizabeth Bonham, Walker Thornton and Mary Shepard Bonham.

He was preceded in death by his father, Robert James Griffin, his mother Laurine Shiflett Griffin, his brother Robert James Griffin, Jr. He is survived by his sister Frances Griffin Butler (Jesse), many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Celebration of Life Services will be held Sunday March 1, 2020 at 2:00 at Striffler-Hamby with visitation to follow.