Obituaries

James A. Griffin

Photo of James A. Griffin
James A. Griffin was born February 18, 1956, and died on July 23, 2019, at the age of 63. Born in El Paso, Texas, to John William Griffin and Edith Allen Griffin, James and his two sisters spent most of their young lives following their father's military career. They were stationed in many areas of the US, as well as Augsburg and Butzbach, Germany. The Griffins settled in Fayetteville, Ark., in 1969. It was in Fayetteville, as an active member of the First Baptist Church, that James discovered his vocation in the production side of the music industry. While still a teen, he installed and managed a new sound system at the church and served on the production crew for the FBC youth choirs on their multi-state and Canadian tours. A love of the music business led him to Malaco Records in Jackson, Miss., where he learned the art of sound engineering. After his time at Malaco he opened his own recording studio and audio/video business, where he engineered and produced many events in Mississippi. James was a longtime member of Highlands Presbyterian Church in Jackson. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Caroline Grant Griffin of Jackson, Miss., and his three children: Rebekah Griffin Payne and husband Jeff of Memphis, Tenn., John William Griffin and wife Anna Claire of Philadelphia, Miss., and Stephen James Griffin of Jackson, Miss. He is also survived by his mother, Edith Allen Griffin of Fayetteville, Ark., and two sisters: Patsy Griffin Miller and husband Bob of Norman, Okla., and Carolyn Griffin Hughes and husband Charlie of Fayetteville, Ark. Other survivors include his granddaughters, Caroline Fowler Payne and Anna Michel Payne, and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. James was preceded in death by his father, John William Griffin. Memorials may be made to the College International Mission Fund of First Baptist Church, Fayetteville, Ark.

Published August 4, 2019

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