Alvin "Gary" Griffin

Alvin “Gary” Griffin, 81, passed away on Friday, March 20, 2026, after bravely battling cancer. He was a devoted and loving life companion to Susie, a proud father to his daughter Melody, a respected father-in-law to Cody, and a deeply adoring grandfather to his two grandsons, Griffin and Clark.

Gary was a many-faceted man who loved living life “in the country.” Some of his childhood was spent working alongside his grandparents on their farm, and his grandfather was also a Baptist pastor—an influence that stayed with him in different ways throughout his life. He carried that love of country living with him into adulthood on his own 23-acre property. A hard-working man of integrity and honor, he dearly loved his family and friends. He also had a deep appreciation for his country, his cars and car shows, dancing, and attending concerts of his favorite artists. Gary had a sharp wit, loved a good joke, and was a true perfectionist in all that he did.

Not everyone knew that his soul was that of a true musician. He had an eclectic taste in music and could identify a song from just a few lyrics—often recalling the artist, the year, and even the story behind it. He loved drag racing in the 1960s and won four trophies driving his 1955 Chevy Bel-Air. He ran a marathon in college and enjoyed working on cars, often referring to himself as a “shade tree mechanic.” After acquiring a 1965 Ford Falcon Sprint, which he named The Black Widow, he continued refining and improving it, earning numerous trophies and awards at classic car shows across North Texas as recently as last year.

Gary was born in Dallas, Texas, on November 24, 1944, to Alvin “Clois” Griffin and Francis Juanita “Nita” Collins Lee. He graduated from McKinney High School in 1963 and went on to attend the University of North Texas (then known as NTSU) and the College of Artesia in New Mexico.

He spent seven years working alongside his stepfather, J.M. Lee, in the crop dusting industry. During that time, he also learned to fly and soloed at the remarkable age of 14. He joined the Army Reserve in 1966 and served stateside for six years. After holding various jobs as a young man, Gary found a career he truly loved when he joined GTE in 1973 as a field engineer. In 1979, he was promoted to engineering training instructor, where he authored eight engineering and construction courses. He retired in 2003.

He enjoyed riding his cherry red Harley-Davidson, which he purchased in 1995 after deciding it was time to “work less and play more.” After years of riding—including cross-country trips—he eventually traded two wheels for his classic 1965 Ford Falcon Sprint, The Black Widow, at the age of 65.

In retirement, Gary remained active and engaged in the things he loved. He spent time remodeling and working on his farm in Sanger, continuing to improve and showcase his classic car at North Texas car shows, going country-western dancing, attending concerts, enjoying DVDs of his favorite performers, taking road trips, and spending time with family and dear friends from his GTE/Verizon years.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Clois Griffin and Nita Lee; his stepfather, J.M. Lee; his sister, Shari Lee-Lupton; and his brother, Ronald Lee.

He is survived by his beloved life companion, Susie, of Weatherford, Texas; his daughter and son-in-law, Melody and Cody Allen, of Argyle, Texas; and his grandsons, Griffin and Clark Allen, along with many beloved aunts, nephews, cousins, and extended family.

A visitation will be held at 1:00 p.m., followed by a funeral service at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at Eubank Funeral Home.

The family invites those who wish to honor Gary’s memory to make a donation to the American Cancer Society or a charity of their choice.

His legacy lives on in the lives he touched, the stories he told, and the love he gave so freely.