Bruce Edward Griffin

Bruce Edward Griffin died peacefully in his sleep, January 22, 2015, after several years of ill health. The first of four children of Bruce McConnell Griffin and Evelyn Wayne Griffin, Bruce was born October 15, 1940, in Evanston, Illinois. He grew up in St. Charles, Illinois and graduated from Northwestern Military and Naval Academy in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, where he was an outstanding athlete. In 2004, Bruce was recognized as an Honored Athlete by The Old Boys Alumni Association for his outstanding contributions to athletics at Northwestern Military & Naval Academy. After graduating from Northwestern, he went on to attend the University of South Dakota before beginning a long sales career which culminated in a highly successful career with Aflac. There, Bruce won many sales awards and trips and continued to build his business until the time of his death. Bruce attended The Church on Rush Creek with his wife, Carolyn, where they formed many wonderful relationships that added tremendous joy to their lives. Bruce had a wonderful zest for living, loved people and was his happiest either with family or at a social event surrounded by music, laughter and fun people. He followed sports and was an avid Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers fan. He also supported the University of Michigan football team, among others. It was not uncommon to find Bruce at home with one television tuned to a Cowboys game, another TV to a second sporting event and a radio to a third, all at the same time. Those who know him well will recall him pacing in front of the sets, talking to the televisions and radio, giving the teams directions. When he moved from Kansas City to Tarrant County in the early 70’s, Bruce bought seat licenses at Texas Stadium for Cowboys games before he found a place to live. He took special delight in his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and often spoke of them with great love to anyone who would listen. Bruce lived life on his own terms and his motto very easily could have been, “I did it my way.” He lived life to the fullest and his adventurous spirit took him down many interesting paths. He often remarked that he had no regrets. Friends and family know that his love of life, family and strong faith sustained him through many ups and downs. He was resilient beyond belief. In later years when Bruce faced major health challenges, he met them head-on with the unwavering support and love of his wife, Carolyn, daughter, Hillary, other family members, friends and the help of gifted physicians and therapists. While the shock of Bruce’s sudden passing hit his family and friends hard, we are grateful his death was peaceful and that he is finally home with his Savior and all of his loved ones who went before him. We know, without a doubt, there was a very joyful reunion in heaven on Thursday morning when Bruce arrived. “Grieve not, nor think of me with tears, but laugh and talk of me as if I were beside you. I loved you so- T’was heaven here with you.” ~Isla Paschal Richardson Bruce is survived by the love of his life, Carolyn Pope Griffin of Arlington, his mother, Janice Griffin, St. Charles, Illinois, daughter Hillary Griffin Poulsen, Camarillo, California, sons, Greg Love, Knoxville, TN, Mark Love, Huntsville, TN, Mike Morlan, Elk Grove, CA, sisters, Nancy White, Tulsa, OK, Judy Sharp, Weatherford, TX, brothers John Griffin, Hampshire, IL, Brian Griffin, St. Charles, IL, and Randy Griffin, Winfield, Illinois, nine grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. At Bruce’s request, no funeral will be held. Instead, a small gathering of family and friends to celebrate his life will be held at Bruce’s nephew Christian Longford’s home in Fort Worth on Thursday, January 29. Please contact Carolyn Griffin or Hillary Poulsen for information. It was Bruce’s desire to have his ashes scattered at St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy. This event will take place in the spring or summer of this year at the Academy in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Memorials in Bruce’s name may be made to his favorite charity, Wounded Warriors. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. “ Timothy 4:7-8. Rest in peace, Bruce, we will see you again one day. Bruce Edward Griffin died peacefully in his sleep, January 22, 2015, after several years of ill health. The first of four children of Bruce McConnell Griffin and Evelyn Wayne Griffin, Bruce was born October 15, 1940, in Evanston, Illinois. He grew up in St. Charles, Illinois and graduated from Northwestern Military and Naval Academy in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, where he was an outstanding athlete. In 2004, Bruce was recognized as an Honored Athlete by The Old Boys Alumni Association for his outstanding contributions to athletics at Northwestern Military & Naval Academy. After graduating from Northwestern, he went on to attend the University of South Dakota before beginning a long sales career which culminated in a highly successful career with Aflac. There, Bruce won many sales awards and trips and continued to build his business until the time of his death. Bruce attended The Church on Rush Creek with his wife, Carolyn, where they formed many wonderful relationships that added tremendous joy to their lives. Bruce had a wonderful zest for living, loved people and was his happiest either with family or at a social event surrounded by music, laughter and fun people. He followed sports and was an avid Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers fan. He also supported the University of Michigan football team, among others. It was not uncommon to find Bruce at home with one television tuned to a Cowboys game, another TV to a second sporting event and a radio to a third, all at the same time. Those who know him well will recall him pacing in front of the sets, talking to the televisions and radio, giving the teams directions. When he moved from Kansas City to Tarrant County in the early 70’s, Bruce bought seat licenses at Texas Stadium for Cowboys games before he found a place to live. He took special delight in his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and often spoke of them with great love to anyone who would listen. Bruce lived life on his own terms and his motto very easily could have been, “I did it my way.” He lived life to the fullest and his adventurous spirit took him down many interesting paths. He often remarked that he had no regrets. Friends and family know that his love of life, family and strong faith sustained him through many ups and downs. He was resilient beyond belief. In later years when Bruce faced major health challenges, he met them head-on with the unwavering support and love of his wife, Carolyn, daughter, Hillary, other family members, friends and the help of gifted physicians and therapists. While the shock of Bruce’s sudden passing hit his family and friends hard, we are grateful his death was peaceful and that he is finally home with his Savior and all of his loved ones who went before him. We know, without a doubt, there was a very joyful reunion in heaven on Thursday morning when Bruce arrived. “Grieve not, nor think of me with tears, but laugh and talk of me as if I were beside you. I loved you so- T’was heaven here with you.” ~Isla Paschal Richardson Bruce is survived by the love of his life, Carolyn Pope Griffin of Arlington, his mother, Janice Griffin, St. Charles, Illinois, daughter Hillary Griffin Poulsen, Camarillo, California, sons, Greg Love, Knoxville, TN, Mark Love, Huntsville, TN, Mike Morlan, Elk Grove, CA, sisters, Nancy White, Tulsa, OK, Judy Sharp, Weatherford, TX, brothers John Griffin, Hampshire, IL, Brian Griffin, St. Charles, IL, and Randy Griffin, Winfield, Illinois, nine grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. At Bruce’s request, no funeral will be held. Instead, a small gathering of family and friends to celebrate his life will be held at Bruce’s nephew Christian Longford’s home in Fort Worth on Thursday, January 29. Please contact Carolyn Griffin or Hillary Poulsen for information. It was Bruce’s desire to have his ashes scattered at St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy. This event will take place in the spring or summer of this year at the Academy in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Memorials in Bruce’s name may be made to his favorite charity, Wounded Warriors. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. “ Timothy 4:7-8. Rest in peace, Bruce, we will see you again one day.