John Archie Griggs

John Archie Griggs, devoted father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed in peace Tuesday, October 10, 2017, at the age of 78 in his home surrounded by loved ones. He was born at home at Greasy Corner, near Hughes, in Saint Francis County, Arkansas on March 17, 1939. John started school in Hughes, Ark. in 1945 and moved to Clarendon, Ark., at mid-term in the ninth grade, in 1954. He graduated from high school in 1957 and started as a freshman the following fall at Memphis State University on a track scholarship. Because of his athletic record as a student, he was inducted into the Arkansas Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2014. The majority of his adult life was lived in North Little Rock, Ark. where he raised his family. John spent 41 years in the insurance business. He was employed by American Management Corporation for 20 years, retiring in 2004 as Executive Vice President. He was preceded in death by his parents, David Bryant Griggs and Carrie Eulane Beene Griggs Houston; three brothers, Roger Wayne, David Bryant, Jr and William Bryant Griggs, three sisters, Betty Joe Griggs Snell, Thelma Frances Griggs Lindley, and Eleanor Lee Griggs Raper. He was also preceded in death by his grandparents Vernon Archie and Ada Strange Beene of Hughes and John Augustus and Ida Arnold Griggs, of Memphis. He is survived by one sister, Jimmie Carol Houston, of Tupelo, Mississippi; two daughters, Carrie Janice Griggs Archer (Martin) and Stacey Lynn Griggs Matchett (James); four grandchildren; and one great grandchild. Visitation will be held at Griffin Leggett Rest Hills Funeral Home on Thursday, October 12, 2017 from 5-7 p.m. Funeral service will be held on Friday, October 13, 2017 at 10 a.m., also at Griffin Leggett Rest Hills. Burial will follow at Shady Grove Cemetery in Clarendon, Ark. at 2 p.m. Memorials may be made to Arkansas Hospice or the Salvation Army. Online guestbook is available at www.griffinleggettresthills.com.