Paul Griffin,

Paul Yearwood Griffin, Jr., 78, of Little Rock, Arkansas passed away Sunday, December 13, 2009. He was born December 6, 1931, a fourth generation Arkansan, to Paul and Bessie Robinson Griffin of Little Rock. He graduated from Little Rock Central High School in 1949 and from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in 1953.
In his professional life, Paul served as President of Paul Griffin and Associates, Inc., a financial, insurance management and business consulting firm. At one time, he was President of the General Agents and Managers Association and President of the Arkansas Society of Chartered Life Underwriters (CLU).
As a young man, Paul served as Youth Director of Pulaski Heights Methodist Church, First Methodist Church in Shreveport, Louisiana and Winfield Methodist Church in Little Rock. The church was very important to Paul; he was active as a Sunday School teacher throughout his life in a number of different settings. He taught the Friendly Sunday School class at Heber Springs United Methodist Church and was a certified lay speaker.
Throughout his life, Paul was active in a number of organizations that helped define his life. He was an Eagle Scout, a member of "Wilson Matthews Tigers," and the Little Rock Central High School Band Alumni. He volunteered at The First Tee, helping young people learn to play and enjoy golf. In addition, he served as a member of the University of Arkansas Alumni Association and the Razorback Club.
In 1955, Paul was awarded a Life Membership in the Arkansas Jaycees. Additional activities included serving as a 32 degree Mason, with membership in Pulaski Heights Lodge #673. In addition, he belonged to the Arkansas Consistory, the Scimitar Shrine, and the National Eagle Scout Association. He also served as a board member in the Pulaski Heights Kiwanis Club.
Paul had many hobbies; two of his favorites were golf and photography. He loved Heber Springs and the Greers Ferry Lake area and hiking the Grand Canyon.
Paul authored and published an essay, "Can Long Endure," which was a spiritual history of the United States of America and a prediction of its future in the twenty-first century and beyond.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one son, Paul Y. Griffin III (Woody). Paul is survived by his wife of 58 years, Margrett Baker Griffin; three children, Gary Griffin (Joy) of Little Rock, Tim Griffin of Little Rock and Gaye Stark of Heber Springs; one sister, Ethel Curry (Tom) of Little Rock; and daughter-in-law, Judy Griffin of Maumelle.
The family will receive friends at Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct. (NW corner I-630 and Barrow Rd.) from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 15. Funeral services will be Wednesday, December 16 at 10:00 a.m. at St. James United Methodist Church in Little Rock. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Tee of Little Rock, St. James United Methodist Church or Immanuel Baptist Church.
Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501)224-2200. Mr. Griffin's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.