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Submitted: 11/21/14 • Approved: 11/22/14 • Last Updated: 11/24/14 • R1052924-G1052924-S3
World War II
January 15, 1921 - August 22, 2014
Obituary
Roller McNutt Funeral Home
Garcia L. “Mistoe” Griffin, 93 of Conway, Arkansas passed away August 22, 2014. He was born on January 15, 1921 in Bernie, Missouri to the late Herlie and Viola Griffin.
Mistoe was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was a deacon and member of Second Baptist Church, an avid sportsman, pilot, and WWII veteran. Mistoe met Marie Lane while stationed at Camp Robinson and they were married for 68 years until her death in 2009.
His aviation career began at Cantrell Field, first as a mechanic and later as a pilot and instructor. He was passionate about flying and spent a lifetime piloting various types of aircraft ranging from crop dusters to corporate jets. His flying career included 27 years as a corporate pilot for Ward Bus Company in Conway. Mistoe’s stellar reputation as a pilot was recognized at age 90 when he was presented the Department of Transportation’s prestigious FAA Master Pilot Award recognizing 50 years of accident-free piloting.
When he wasn’t flying, Mistoe could be found in the woods or on a lake, hunting and fishing and making countless memories with family and friends.
More important to him than his career and hobbies, however, was Mistoe’s Christianity. He was a Godly man of great and steadfast faith, who, as the patriarch of his large family, led by example. Some of his proudest moments were witnessing the baptisms of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, most at Second Baptist, the church he held so dear. He was a humble, honest, kind, loving and compassionate man who lived a colorful life, long in years and rich in wisdom and experience.
He is also preceded in death by his daughter; Jeannie Stanton, and a granddaughter; Laura Stanton, both of Conway, AR.
Left to cherish Mistoe’s legacy of faith and love are his children, Kent Griffin and wife Jan, Peggy Bailey and husband Kenneth, Gayle Austin and husband Glenn, son in law; Gary Stanton, grandchildren; Shelly Moon and husband Pat, Gray Wagnon and husband Stoney, Hunter Austin and wife Ambra, and Valerie Henderson, great-grandchildren; Wes and Maegan Mathis, Tripp and Griff Wagnon, Hadleigh and Ethan Austin, and Kyle Henderson, all of Conway, one sister; Martha Fowler of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, sister in law; Pat Miller, of Conway, and a host of other family and friends.
Funeral Services will be Monday, August 25, 2014 at 3:00pm at Second Baptist Church on Dave Ward Dr. with Brothers Mark Dance and Clyde Spurgin officiating. Burial will follow at Crestlawn Memorial Park in Conway. Visitation will be held from 2:00-3:00pm at the church prior to the service. Kent Griffin, Glenn Austin, Kenneth Bailey, Gary Stanton, Wes Mathis, and Frank Earney will serve as Pallbearers.
Marie
Jan 26, 1923 - June 19, 2009
Obituary
Roller McNutt Funeral Home
Marian Marie Griffin, age 86, went to be with the Lord on June 19, 2009. She was born on January 26,1923 in Scranton, Arkansas to the late Cecil and Dorothy Hardin Lane. She was also preceded in death by a sister, Lois Stolzer and a brother, William (Bud) Lane.
Her life was full of joy and she loved life. Her faith was of most importance to her followed by her family. She was a daughter, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a great-grandmother, a sister and an aunt. All of these things were special to her and she did an amazing job being each one of those.
She leaves behind her husband of 68 years, G.L. (Mistoe) Griffin, three daughters, Jeannie Stanton (Gary), Peggy Bailey (Kenneth), Gayle Austin (Glenn) and one son, Kent Griffin (Jan), all of Conway. She also leaves behind 5 grandchildren, Shelly Mathis, Hunter Austin, Laura Stanton, Gray Wagnon and Valeric Henderson and 9 great-grandchildren, all of Conway, as well as two sisters, Pat Miller of Conway and Mildred Irby McDaniel of Morgan.
During her life she spent her time being a homemaker. Not only was she a loving wife but a wonderful mother as well. She was a charter member of Second Baptist Church of Conway teaching Sunday School for many years and was active in Women's Missionary Union.
Visitation will be held Sunday, June 21, 2009 from 6-8 p.m. at Second Baptist Church in Conway. Funeral services will be held Monday, June 22, 2009 at 2 p.m. at Second Baptist Church. Interment will follow in Crestlawn Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Hunter Austin, Floyd Earney, Frank Earney, Curt Floyd, Donnie Henderson, Jim Moore and Stoney Wagnon. Services are under the direction of Roller-McNutt Funeral Home, Conway. 501-327-7727.
Contributed on 11/21/14 by hawkinsdonna
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Record #: 1052924