[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 127 (Wednesday, September 19, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6423-S6424]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              REMEMBERING GEORGE WASHINGTON `G.W.' GRIFFIN

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to mourn the loss of a 
good man, an honored Kentuckian, and a dear friend. Mr. George 
Washington Griffin passed away on December 19, 2011, from complications 
of pneumonia at the age of 85. He is deeply missed by all those who 
knew and loved him.
  George--known to his friends as G.W.--was a fixture of the Laurel 
County community and a leader in the region and the Commonwealth. A co-
owner and former chairman emeritus of the Laurel Grocery Company, G.W. 
served on the National American Wholesale Grocers Board of Governors 
for two terms beginning in 1967. He was elected president of the 
Kentucky Wholesale Grocers Association in 1979, and the Kentucky 
Grocers Association/Kentucky Association of Convenience Stores honored 
Mr. Griffin as Kentucky Grocer of the Year in 1986.
  When George retired from the grocery industry in 1997, he left the 
Laurel Grocery Company well positioned for success in the 21st century. 
Fellow members of the grocers industry across Kentucky honored G.W. as 
one of the original three inductees into the Kentucky Grocers Hall of 
Fame in 2005.
  G.W. was born in East Bernstadt, KY, in 1926. He attended the 
Kentucky Military Institute, Wake Forest University, and the University 
of Kentucky. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was 
decorated with the Victory Medal, the American Area Campaign Medal, the 
Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Medal, and the Philippine Liberations 
Ribbon.
  G.W. was also very involved with the Cumberland Valley National Bank, 
Institutional Distributors, and played a

[[Page S6424]]

role in the formation of Appalachian Computer Services in London. He 
also had a hand in Laurel Insurance Company and worked in the printing 
industry. In his spare time, G.W. loved UK athletics, rarely missing a 
home game.
  G.W. was a close personal friend to me and a strong support of mine 
going back to 1984. I will always be thankful for his belief in me and 
his help over the decades. It was a pleasure to see him every time I 
made my way to London. I will miss our friendship.
  Elaine and my prayers go to G.W.'s family, including his wife 
Elizabeth; his daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth and Hal McCoy; his 
son and daughter-in-law, George William and Becky; his son and 
daughter-in-law, Winston and Shannon; his sister, Margaret Fouts; his 
five grandchildren; and many other friends and family members. G.W. was 
preceded in death by his parents, George W. Sr. and Willie Lee, and his 
brother William.
  Mr. President, I ask my U.S. Senate colleagues to join me in mourning 
the loss of Mr. George Washington ``G.W.'' Griffin and extending 
sympathies to the Griffin family. Kentucky is poorer for his loss.
  An obituary detailing Mr. Griffin's incredible life appeared in the 
Laurel County-area publication the Sentinel Echo. I ask unanimous 
consent that said article be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                 [The Sentinel Echo, December 23, 2011]

   George Washington `G.W.' Griffin--Owner of Laurel Grocery Company

       Laurel County, KY.--George Washington ``G.W.'' Griffin, 85, 
     died December 19, 2011, from complications of pneumonia.
       Born on February 28, 1926, in East Bernstadt, Griffin 
     attended the Kentucky Military Institute, Wake Forest 
     University and graduated from the University of Kentucky, 
     where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity. Having 
     served in World War II, he was a proud veteran of the United 
     States Navy.
       He was a member of the First Baptist Church. He was a 
     founding member and past president of the London Country Club 
     and long-time member of Biltmore Forest Country Club. He 
     served on the board of trustees of the University of Kentucky 
     for 16 years, which is how he met his partner in crime and 
     close friend, the late, great Dr. Otis Singletary. Griffin 
     was past chairman of Laurel Grocery Company, Cumberland 
     Valley National Bank, Institutional Distributors, London 
     Rotary Forms, and the Food Marketing Education Council (the 
     Red Coats). He was a board member of Cumberland College, 
     National-American Wholesale Grocers Association, Kentucky 
     Chamber of Commerce, Appalachian Computer Systems, and the 
     Kentucky Grocers Association. He was an initial inductee into 
     the Kentucky Grocers Hall of Fame. An avid golfer and 
     thoroughbred horse owner/racing enthusiast, he traveled all 
     over the world to pursue his passions, but his favorite place 
     was always the great state of Kentucky. A diehard UK fan, 
     Griffin never missed a home football game until he became too 
     ill to attend.
       He was preceded in death by his brother, William ``Bill'' 
     Griffin.
       He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Elizabeth Park 
     ``Sis'' Griffin, and sister Margaret Fouts of Lacey, Wash.
       The couple have three children, Elizabeth (Hal) McCoy of 
     Hopkinsville, Ky.; George William (Becky) Griffin of 
     Lexington; and Winston (Shannon) Griffin of London; and five 
     grandchildren, Winston Park Griffin, Charlotte Grace Griffin, 
     Griffin Bell McCoy, Catherine Rose Griffin, and Bella James 
     Griffin.
       The Griffin family extends heartfelt gratitude to Don 
     Dossett for his loving care and assistance with G.W. Griffin 
     these last two years.
       Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at First 
     Baptist Church, 804 W. 5th Street, London, with Dr. Terry 
     Lester officiating.
       Burial will be in A.R. Dyche Memorial Park.
       Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at House-
     Rawlings Funeral Home, 510 E. 4th Street, London.
       Memorial contributions can be made to George W. Griffin 
     Charitable Scholarship Trust, PNC Institutional Investments, 
     1900 East 9th Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44114, Attn: Lauren 
     Middleton.

                          ____________________