Mr. James Clifford Griffith Sr. "Cliff"

Born James Clifford Griffith in Dallas to Z.C. and Kaleta Griffith, Cliff spent his formative years in Tyler, Texas.

At age 14, Cliff met Linda Fredrichsen in summer band practice. Both played saxophone in the Robert E. Lee High School and Tyler Junior College bands and would date throughout high school and college. Cliff entered the U.S. Navy in 1969, and he and Linda married in the same year. In 1971, their first child, Jimmy, was born when Cliff was stationed in San Diego. After four years in the Navy, including a year in the Philippines, Cliff, Linda, and Jimmy returned home to Texas. In the mid-seventies, Cliff completed his bachelor’s degree at North Texas State University and earned his MBA in Financial Accounting at the University of Texas at Arlington, where he would later serve on their Board of Accountancy. In 1976, Cliff and Linda’s second child, Jennifer, was born.

Cliff began his 35+ year career as a CPA in the late seventies at Peat, Marwick, Mitchell, and Co. Later, he was a partner with Grant Thornton. Cliff finished his career as Vice President of Product Development for PPC (later Thomson Reuters). Cliff retired shortly after Linda died in 2011.

Throughout his life and into retirement, Cliff enjoyed collecting, driving, and showing cars. In fact, for many years, Cliff would use vacation time so that he could volunteer as pit road event staff at Texas Motor Speedway to be close to the race cars and spend time with his car buddies. At an event at Texas Motorplex, Dad pitched in and drove his DeLorean up and down the drag strip to help dry the track after a rain shower. He was an active member of multiple car and boat clubs, and he enjoyed watching many types of motor racing, including his annual pilgrimage to the Indy 500. Cliff loved listening to many kinds of music on his classic jukebox, and he enjoyed attending live concerts. Cliff also enjoyed traveling with friends and family, spoiling his kids and grandchildren, playing cards, and simply relaxing at the lake.

Cliff is preceded in death by his wife, Linda, father Z.C., mother Kaleta, sisters Kaylene and Ann Sue, brother Richard, and many aunts and uncles. Cliff leaves behind son Jimmy, his wife Carmen, grandchildren Jenna and Trey, “extra” grandchild Anthony; daughter Jennifer Mezei and her husband, Alan, grandchildren Melia and Maddox; brothers Clark and Bob, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

The family will receive friends for a visitation at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home in Colleyville Tuesday, April 12, 2022, from 5 PM-7 PM.

A celebration of Cliff's life will be held at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home Wednesday, April 13, 2022, at 10 AM with burial in the Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trinity Habitat for Humanity by clicking the link below.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.bluebonnethills.com for the Sr. Family.