Haywood M Griffin

Mack was born in Berrien County, Georgia, April 25, 1918. He was the oldest child of Leslie Clark and Wilmouth (Mimi) Harper Griffin.

The family moved to Florida when he was a small child and settled in the Dover area around 1925. Mack graduated from Turkey Creek High School and worked his way up to Seaboard Coastline fireman on the train carrying phosphate to Boca Grande prior to WW II. He enlisted in the Army and attended OCS and graduated from Camp Lee Virginia Transportation Corp. He served during WW II in England and France prior to returning home. Mack remained in the US Army Reserve for more than twenty years and retired as a Captain. He and our mother (Lucille E. Griffin, RN, deceased) bought what had been known as the Newman Brothers Farm in Plant City in 1950 where they farmed and resided. Our parents were a team and it is impossible to speak of one without including the other. Dad was a farmer but he was also much more. They grew strawberries until 1957 and after the cessation of Strawberry Schools grew primarily hot pepper and many other vegetables until the early 90’s. With the help of dedicated brokerage assistance, our Dad and mother were able to establish Sunny Acre Farm as a recognized brand in the produce industry. He was a member of The First Presbyterian Church of Plant City and truly enjoyed the men’s bible class. He served on Florida Farmers Market advisory board for many years and was on the board of directors of the First National Bank of Plant City (First Florida- Nations Bank) for more than twenty years. He and Mom were awarded Farmer of the Year twice in Hillsborough County. It was very special to him and mother that he and his cousin, O.M. (Osburn) Griffin had both been inducted into the Strawberry Growers’ Hall of Fame. Their commitment to agriculture and desire to promote agriculture is best exemplified by their involvement with early vocational agriculture and Dad’s becoming one of the early honorary members of the Plant City FFA Chapter. More than a hundred young people had gotten their initial introduction to agriculture and farming under the tutelage of our mom and dad. As proud as he was of our farm and all it was and does represent, he was just as proud of all of those young people and the opportunity these experiences afforded them. Many of them are leaders, professionals, mentors and role modelsHe always gave his best and expected no less from everyone. He was truly an honorable man for his family, community and country.

He was preceded in death by his wife of more than sixty years Lucille E. Griffin; father and mother, Clark and Wilmouth (Mimi) Griffin; brothers Simmie J. (Kay), L.C., Jr. (Red) and Calvin (Bert). He is survived by his sister, Mary Evers (Clyde) of Coral Gables, children Linda Griffin Clark (Jay), Wauchula; James L. (Jim) Griffin, PhD (Judy), Tampa and Mike Griffin (Barbara), Orange Park; seven grandchildren Jason Clark (Holly), Justin Clark (Lisa), Candice Bennett (Ron), Lisa Hodgdon (Keith), Melissa Barrus (Charles), Ben Griffin (Elizabeth), John Griffin (Karen),and thirteen great grandchildren, Abby, Griffin, and Dean Clark; Carter, Carson Jay Clark; Groves Bennett; Hayes, Reed, Whit Barrus; Griffin, Emma Hodgdon; Rebecca, Eleanor Griffin and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday January 12, 2013 11:00 AM at the First Presbyterian Church of Plant City. Family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until time of service. Burial will take place at Memorial Park.

Memorials may bemade to the Mack Griffin Memorial Scholarship Fund, 2507 N. Maryland Ave, Plant City, FL. 33563