LONDON, Ky. — Services are scheduled here Wednesday for George Washington "G.W." Griffin, former chairman of Laurel Grocery, who died Monday from complications of pneumonia. He was 85.
Griffin, a U.S. Navy veteran, had joined Laurel Grocery, the wholesaler based here, in 1950 and had served as its president for 34 years. He retired in 1997.
In 2005 the Kentucky Grocers and Convenience Store Association named Griffin as the first inductee into the Kentucky Grocers Hall of Fame. "Working side by side with George Griffin over the past 38 years, he has taught me the ways to succeed in business, using honesty and wisdom — the honesty to do everything you say you will do, and the wisdom to not say more than you can do," said Bruce Chestnut, chief executive officer of Laurel at that time, in a speech at the ceremony.
Griffin is survived by his wife of 53 years, Elizabeth Park "Sis" Griffin; sister Margaret Fouts of Lacey, Wash.; three children and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother William "Bill" Griffin.
Services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church, 804 W. 5th St., London, Ky. Donations can be made to George W. Griffin Charitable Scholarship Trust, PNC Institutional Investments, 1900 East 9th Street, Cleveland, OH 44114, attn: Lauren Middleton.
