James "Wes" Griffin Jr.

Wes was born on February 4, 1985, in LaGrange, Georgia, to James Wesley Griffin and Laura Lukken Griffin. Two years later, James and Laura welcomed a second son, Kevin Healy Griffin, on July 15, 1987. A family of four, complete.

Wes and his wife, Heather, settled in Columbus, Georgia, with their son, Wyatt, and two beloved basset hounds, Lola and Jameson. There, Wes managed Fountain Mini Storage, his family's self-storage and U-Haul rental business.

Self-storage isn't the kind of business where you'd expect customers to become extended family—unless Wes Griffin is the one running it. Tenants filled the office every day, often with no business to conduct at all. They simply wanted to spend a few minutes talking with Wes. Many even stopped by long after they had moved out, just to catch up. In a city filled with storage facilities, there was nothing extraordinary about their facility itself. What made Fountain Mini Storage unforgettable was the man behind the counter.

Wes possessed a rare warmth that invited people from every walk of life to open their hearts. Complete strangers often found themselves sharing stories, struggles, and triumphs usually reserved for family or lifelong friends. That ability to make people feel seen, heard, and valued would become one of the defining themes of his life.

His remarkable gifts began revealing themselves early. As a toddler, Wes displayed an astonishing artistic ability. The detail, realism, and creativity in his drawings and paintings amazed everyone who saw them. Art remained a defining part of his childhood and teenage years, but it was music that ultimately became the language of his soul.

Wes possessed an uncanny ear. His knowledge of music stretched across countless genres and decades, but his greatest gift was his ability to create it. After picking up a guitar as a teenager, he taught himself to play entirely by ear, spending countless hours mastering the instrument. Within only a few years, his playing rivaled musicians who had spent decades honing their craft.

Although the guitar became his signature instrument, music itself seemed instinctive to him. He could pick up nearly any instrument for the first time and, within minutes, begin making music that left others wondering how someone could sound so natural on an instrument they had never played before.

It wasn't long before Wes taught his younger brother, Kevin, to play guitar. Together they formed the band "Wine on the Rocks", alongside longtime friends Joey Finnegan on bass and Eric Durrence on drums. For nearly twenty years, they performed at bars, clubs, festivals, and private events throughout middle Georgia. Those fortunate enough to watch Wes perform witnessed someone completely at home doing what he loved most.

On May 6, 2017, Wes married Heather, beginning a chapter that filled his life with purpose and joy. Through their marriage, Wes gained not only a wife, but also Heather's son Wyatt, and daughters, Caelan and Hailey. Although the girls were already grown, Wes embraced Wyatt and became a true father to him in every sense.

Wes and Heather found happiness in many of the same places, especially their shared love of Jimmy Buffett and the beach. They truly embraced the Parrothead lifestyle. Whenever they had the chance to escape, they headed for the coast. Any location with the ocean, salty air, fresh seafood, cold drinks, and endless sunshine was their happy place. St. Andrews and Panama City became a cherished home away from home, and from time to time they escaped on Caribbean cruises. Even when they stayed home, they created their own tropical retreat in the backyard, complete with a swimming pool, tiki hut gazebo, and even a palm tree. Yet as much as they loved those places, what made them special was simply being there together.

Wes is survived by his wife, Heather Griffin; son, Wyatt; stepdaughters, Caelan and Hailey; father, James (Fern) Griffin; mother, Laura Griffin; his brother, Kevin H. Griffin (Liz), and their children, Frances, Mary, and Oliver; and many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends.

The countless lives Wes touched stand as the truest measure of the man he was. His kindness came naturally. His loyalty never wavered. His humor was unforgettable. He had a way of making every person feel important and every conversation worthwhile. There was simply no one else quite like Wes Griffin. Those who were fortunate enough to know him are better because they did, and the love he gave so freely will continue to live on in each of them. One of a kind, the genuine article.

A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held at Striffler Hamby Chapel, 1010 Mooty Bridge Road, LaGrange, GA, on August 7, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

All arrangements are made by Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 1010 Mooty Bridge Road, LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 884-8636.

Those wishing to share a condolence or remembrance with the family may do so by visiting www.shlagrange.com