John Quincy Griffis

John Qunicy Griffis was born October 1, 1949, in Austin, Texas, and lovingly raised by William K. Griffis and Mary Louise (Parks) Griffis. He died of natural causes suddenly and unexpectedly at home on July 28, 2024, at the age of 74.

John was named for his great-grandfather, who emigrated by wagon from North Carolina to Texas with his parents at the age of 12 in 1857. John Quincy (the first) was beloved by his family and must have been a young man of inherent kindness, determination, and grit, as these traits passed to John through the generations. John survived, but sustained significant disabilities from two traumatic brain injuries, one experienced as a small child and another at the age of 35. He also survived kidney cancer at age 60. John handled these and many other life challenges always on his own terms.

John was educated in the Austin public schools, graduating from Austin High School in the class of 1969. He received an Associate Degree in Telecommunications in 1979 from Central Texas College in Killeen, TX. John was gainfully employed in a variety of mostly part-time positions, enabling him independently to meet his personal financial needs until and after retiring at age 62.

John’s passions were kite design and kite flying, judo, bicycling, the University of Texas Longhorns (especially football and baseball), the Dallas Cowboys, and the New York Yankees. Most weekends would find him engaged in one or more of these activities. He held special pride in having received numerous prizes for his largest and/or strongest-pulling bat kite at the Austin Kite Contest held at Zilker Park each spring.

Some of his other accomplishments included achieving the black belt in judo; becoming one of the first 100 persons inducted into the National Judo Institute Hall of Fame; cycling long distances; serving Capital Metro in an advisory capacity for people with disabilities; and advocating before the Austin City Council to implement an ordinance requiring helmets for bicyclists. He was also a great fan of country and western music, square dancing, televised old westerns, and game shows.

John is survived by his sisters and their spouses, Kathy and Sandy Bailey of Lampasas and Eleanor and Ron Luke of Austin. He is also survived by his nephews and nieces and their families, including Shawn and Carolina Bailey, Heather Bailey, Robert and Robin Luke, Kathryn Luke, and Sted Garber. Many cousins and their families also are among those who were close to John.

Information regarding services is available at the Weed-Corley-Fish website. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the AKA American Kitefliers Association, kite.org or P.O. Box 699, Cedar Ridge, CA 95924; to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3208 Exposition Blvd, Austin, TX 78703; or to a charity of choice.

A committal service for John will be held Friday, August 16, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery, 2800 Hancock Dr, Austin, TX 78731. Following the committal service will be a celebration of life at 2:00 PM at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3208 Exposition Blvd, Austin, Texas 78703.