James F. Griffin, Jr.

GRIFFIN, Jr., James F. “Cracker  Jim”, 87 of Spring Lake, FL passed away on September 16, 2010. A Tampa native, Jim, a fun-loving person, enjoyed gatherings with family and friends, the outdoors and all wildlife. He graduated from Hillsborough High School in 1941 and immediately joined the Navy. After WWII, he enrolled at the Univ. of Florida where he was captain of the track and cross country teams and a member of Florida Blue Key and received BA and MS degrees in ornamental horticulture.  Moving to Key Biscayne in 1953, his life’s work began in ornamental horticulture where he served as executive secretary of the Florida Nurserymen and Growers Assoc.  During the years he received numerous state and national awards for his work. In 1966, he moved his family to Pasco County and continued his work. After retiring from the F. N.G.A in the 1980’s he worked at the University of South Florida managing the physical plant dept.  His community activities included many years with the Boy Scouts as scoutmaster on Key Biscayne.  Jim was also an active member of the Withlacoochee River Basin Board of the Southwest Florida Water Management District.  Jim is survived by his wife: Maureen; 5 children: Lois (Sam); Jeff (Dani); Jerry (Al), Hugh, Joyce (Johnny); 2 step-children: Marianne (Shaun); Robert (Jaychele); and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother: Jack (Marilyn) and sister, Pat Chavous. The family will receive friends from 1-2:00pm, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010  where a Celebration of Life service will begin at 2:00pm at the Merritt Funeral Home, Brooksville Chapel.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jim’s name may be made to HPH Hospice, 12107 Majestic Blvd., Hudson, FL 34667 or your local 4-H Scholarship Fund.

ARRANGEMENTS BY

MERRITT FUNERAL HOME

BROOKSVILLE, FLORIDA

352-796-6699

"Family Owned and Operated"

www.merrittfuneral.com