John Lloyd Griffiths Jr.

John Lloyd Griffiths, Jr., devoted Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, “Pops”, “Big Johnny” and friend to all, entered into God’s Kingdom on April 17, 2023.

Johnny was born in Dallas, Texas on December 7, 1936. He graduated from Highland Park High School in 1954, where he was known for being a star athlete on the football field, as well as the lead in most of the musicals. He was the recipient of the prestigious Blanket Award for exemplifying unbeatable character, leadership, and service. With the option to sing at the Met in NYC, he instead chose to play football for LSU where he suited up for the Tigers from 1954-1956. While on campus in Baton Rouge, he joined the Kappa Sigma fraternity. After an unfortunate knee injury, he came home to play for the SMU Mustangs. And, while rehabbing the knee, he took the title of Ping Pong Champion at the Kappa Sig house and sang in musicals at the Hockaday School, where his Aunt Lillian was the librarian. In 1957, because of their shared interest in the sport of water skiing, his Aunt introduced him to a new Hockaday boarder from San Antonio, Texas - Sally Morris. Sally and Johnny were married on February 24, 1962 in San Antonio, but quickly moved back to Dallas where they raised their two children, became active in the community and Johnny established a successful Oil and Gas Company, Lloyd Petroleum.

Johnny is probably best remembered for his beautiful voice. He sang in more weddings than could possibly be listed, and at numerous memorial services as well. He will be remembered for his God given talent in the Bass section at Highland Park Presbyterian Church, Park Cities Baptist Church, and Highland Park United Methodist Church, as well as multitudes of impromptu sing-alongs at social gatherings and family dinners.

Johnny is preceded in death by his parents who were also actively involved in the Highland Park community, Blanche and John Griffiths, Sr. He is survived by his wife Sally Griffiths, Brother-In-Law Michael Morris, children John Lloyd Griffiths, III, Missy Griffiths Payne, Daughter-In-Law Amy Griffiths; his Grandchildren Baylor Wilson Richfield, John Lloyd Griffiths, IV, Hannah Griffiths, Abigail Laros and Lauren Griffiths and his Great Grandchild Samuel Dalton Laros Georgealis.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, April 24, 2023 at 1:00 PM at Highland Park United Methodist Church on SMU’s campus with a reception to follow.