Owen Clarence (Sonny) Griffin

March 19, 1931–October 14, 2023 (age 92)

Owen Clarence (Sonny) Griffin of Galena Park, Texas, and more recently of Denton, Texas, was born in Denton on March 19, 1931, and passed from this life to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on October 14, 2023. At the time of his homegoing, Sonny was 92 years old.  He was the third child born to Owen Hoyt Griffin and Bertha Mae Carpenter Griffin.

Sonny graduated from Denton High School in 1948. He attended North Texas State College (UNT) in Denton. In his early adult years, he was employed as an electrician and lineman by Shell Oil Refinery in Deer Park, Texas. Later he worked for Hardy Gunite of Texas until retirement. Sonny faithfully served the Lord as a volunteer Minister of Music at Second Baptist Church of Jacinto City, Calvary Baptist Church of Houston, Memorial Baptist Church of Channelview, and First Baptist Church of Galena Park. He also led the music for numerous revivals across the State of Texas. Most recently, he served as a member of the Denton Bible Church Adult Choir, was a member of Adult Bible Fellowship, and participated in several Men's Bible Studies with Mike Spencer and Calvin Clark. Sonny was also a member of Gideons International, ministering through the distribution of Bibles.

As a young man, Sonny placed all of his hope and trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. His greatest love was the Lord Jesus and the Word of God, his family, his friends, and singing gospel music. His supreme desire was for all people to come to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. He endeavored every day to follow Christ with all his heart, soul, mind and strength. (See Sonny's life verse below.)

In 1949, Sonny married the love of his life, Myrtle Ruth Blasingame Griffin. They were married for 64 years at the time of Myrtle's homegoing in 2013. Sonny was preceded in death by his wife, Myrtle Ruth, and his sons, Jerry Lynn Griffin and Robert Leslie Griffin. He is survived by his sister, Sue Phillips (Jimmy) of Arlington, his son, Owen Clarence Griffin, Jr. (Libby) of Denton, daughter Ruth Anne Griffin Garner of Houston, son John Hugh Griffin (Shari) of Beaumont, and son James Doyle Griffin (Kendra) of Amarillo. He is also survived by seven grandchildren: William Gatlin Garner, John Justin Griffin (Peniel) of Richardson, Hollyn Elizabeth Griffin Franklin (Conor) of Palmdale, California, Caitlin Tyer Griffin of  Katy, Owen Carpenter Griffin (Nicole) of Flower Mound, Amanda Elizabeth Griffin of Japan, and Benjamin James Griffin (Audrey) of College Station. He is also survived by eight great-grandchildren: Piper Sofia, Graham Henry, and Taylor Ruth Griffin; Ezra Bryce, Emmalyn Eliza, Karyss Olivia, and Rosalyn Mae Franklin; and Owen Levi Griffin.

Sonny touched many lives and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him for the joyful, gentle, and godly man he was, and for the Savior he served, and in Whose presence he now stands.

Visitation will be Monday, October 23, 2023 from 5:00–7:00 p.m. at Mulkey-Bowles-Montgomery Funeral Home, 705 N. Locust, Denton. A Celebration of Life will be Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Denton Bible Church Chapel, 2300 E. University Drive, Denton. Interment will follow at Trinity Cemetery, 742 S Trinity Road, Denton. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to the Denton Freedom House, a local ministry which Sonny supported.  www.dentonfreedomhouse.org.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5–6