Martin L. Griffith

Martin L. Griffith, 92, of Baytown, Texas passed away Thursday, June 21, 2012 in a local hospital surrounded by family. He was born on April 14, 1920 in Bedias, Texas to Joseph and Lallie Griffith. He graduated from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas in 1941 with a Bachelor of Business Administration. ""Griff,"" as he was affectionately called by everyone, served for almost four years in the U.S. Army and was stationed in the Azores. He worked for Exxon in the production department in Baytown and in Houston and retired in 1982 with 36 years of service. He married Ida Belle Brigham in 1954 and they enjoyed traveling around the world together. He was an active member of Cedar Bayou Grace United Methodist Church and served on the Administrative Board and on various committees. He was also active in the Baytown Shrine Club for 50 years. He enjoyed golfing and also playing on the Senior Softball team, traveling with the team and playing up until his early 80s. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 1192, Scottish Rite and the Kiwanis Club. He also volunteered for the American Cancer Society Road to Recovery program and the Meals on Wheels.

Most recently he enjoyed his grandchildren and loved to make them laugh. He will be missed by everyone.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 from 10 - 11 a.m. at Cedar Bayou Grace United Methodist Church, 2714 Ferry Road in Baytown with the service following at 11 a.m. with Reverend Luis Ramirez officiating. Burial will follow at Cedar Crest Cemetery.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Ida who passed away in 2002. He is survived by his dear friend Wanda Sanders and daughters and sons-in-law JoAnne and Mark Day of Grayslake, Illinois and Jane and Tim Cook of Chesterfield, Missouri and grandchildren Christopher Day, Matthew Day, Allison Cook, and Jennifer Cook; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Jane and Dan North of Fairview; niece and her husband, Melissa and Bob Isaac of Dallas; niece Jane King of The Woodlands; nephew and his wife, Brigham and Cindy North of Dallas and great nieces and nephew, Courtney Clayton, Katie North, Carolyn King and Mark Hickey.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to all the doctors and nurses who took such great care of him and also to his special nurse Jan Barton.

In lieu of usual remembrances, contributions may be made to Cedar Bayou Grace United Methodist Church, 2714 Ferry Road, Baytown, Texas 77520, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (Myelodysplastic Syndrome) P.O. Box 9031, Pittsfield, MA 01202-9031 or the Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.

To view the online obituary or to post a tribute for the family, go to www.navarrefuneralhome.com

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Navarre Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 2444 Rollingbrook Dr., Baytown, TX, 77521 (281) 422-8111.