Ralph B. Griffin

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Ralph Blaine Griffin, 84, of Jonesboro, passed away Saturday, November 11, 2017, at The Regional Medical in Memphis.

Ralph was born in Jonesboro and lived all of his life here. He was a graduate of State High School and Arkansas State University and was a property owner and manager. Ralph was appointed by Gov. Winthrop Rockefeller and served a 7-year term as Commissioner on the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Ralph was instrumental in several long term projects with Game and Fish including but not limited to the location of what is now known as the Forrest Wood Nature Center and the re-stocking of wild turkeys on the St. Francis Sunken Lands Wildlife Management Area. Ralph was also an avid gardener and consistently grew some of the largest tomatoes in the area.

Ralph was a member of Christian Valley Christian Church and was a U.S. Army veteran, serving as a helicopter pilot from 1954-1957 and stationed in Germany. He was the manager of the Griffin Hunting Club in Fulton County. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents: Gordon and Jewel Simmons Griffin; son Mark Griffiin; brother Ruben Griffin and sisters Wandaleen Wood and Jean Caldwell.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Etta Griffin of the home;
1 daughter and son-in-law: Julie and Troy Gipson of Greers Ferry;
1 son and daughter-in-law: David and Amelia Griffin of Jonesboro;
1 sister, Marion Griffin Campbell of Jonesboro;
9 grandchildren: Brent Gipson, Blaine Gipson, Jennifer Powell, Ben Griffin, Dakota Griffin, Lyndon Griffin, Naythun Griffin, Jada Griffin and Hope Griffin;
4 great grandchildren; and
Several nephews and nieces.

A memorial service will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday in Christian Valley Christian Church with Mitch Ford and Tony Griffin officiating. A private family committal service in McDaniel Cemetery will precede the memorial service. Visitation will follow the memorial service in the church.

Pallbearers include Blaine Gipson, Brent Gipson, Carroll Caldwell, Steve Griffin, Claud Smith, Pete Yarbrough, Steve Bracey, Curtis Griffin, John Brewer, Darrell Floyd, Wallace Barber and Bill McFadden. Honorary pallbearers include Ralph's coffee shop friends, and fishing and hunting buddies.

For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to McDaniel Cemetery Association, Larry Ransone, 230 CR 415, Jonesboro, AR 72404.