Jasper Griffin Obituary, Death – Jasper Griffin, Sr., a 92-year-old man, was born on December 18, 1929, to Hansford Maynor and Geneva Higginbotham Griffin in Callahan, Florida. Following a brief illness, he passed away on November 7, 2022, at Baptist Medical Center Downtown. At Mt. Olive Baptist Church when he was fourteen, through his testimony, he came to know the Lord as his Savior. Jasper joined Callahan First Baptist Church in 1964 and frequently attended for the most of his life. He spent some time working in the Audiovisual Ministry and really loved it. Jasper was well-liked in his town and lived a long, respectable life.
Jasper resided in Nassau County other than when he was a member of the Air Force in Alaska during the Korean War. Evidently the Air Force had a sense of humor. Jasper loved to travel and was a risk-taker, yet he always came back to Nassau County. He returned home after serving his nation, and while attending a young people’s event at Bryceville Baptist Church, he met Shirley Brooks, the love of his life. In June 1954, there is where they were wed. Jasper started a 40-year career in the train, first as a fireman and later as a locomotive engineer. He started in 1952 with Atlantic Coastline and left what was then CSX in 1992. Jasper was a huge fan of trains and everything related to them.
His “train stories” were well-liked by his grandchildren. Jasper and Shirley frequently took motorcycle trips when they retired, touring the Southeast and the Smoky Mountains with the Retreads, a motorcycle club. They had wonderful adventures and made many of new friends while on their journey. They frequently traveled with their grandchildren, but not on a motorcycle.
Jasper had a mischievous sense of humor and enjoyed pulling practical jokes on his nieces, nephews, and grandchildren as well as the numerous canines who passed through his life. Jasper trained other young men in the Craft for many hours after becoming a Master Mason in his 40s.
He served as the Worshipful Master of Callahan Lodge #32 in the past, and it was a privilege for him to represent Callahan Lodge as the first District Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Florida. For almost 55 years, Jasper served as Mason. Jasper belonged to the Scottish Rite, the Shriners, and the Callahan OES Chapter #154.
Jasper had a passion for Nassau County history and genealogy. Prior to becoming unable to attend, he was an active member of the West Nassau Historical Society and West Nassau Genealogy Society. As a direct descendant of Burris Higginbotham, a Revolutionary War veteran who is regarded as one of the founding fathers of Nassau County, Jasper’s ancestry encompassed a significant portion of that county’s history.
Shirley, Jasper’s loving wife, died of cancer in 1998. 44 years passed during their union. Maxi Lou Wesch and he later got married; they were together for over 20 years before she died away in August 2021. His parents, brothers Ralph (Alice) Griffin and Oliver Terry (Angeline and Geri) Griffin, sister Nancy (Rolf) Rosseland, nephew Perry Griffin, sister-in-law Dorothy (Donald) Surrency, and brother-in-law Elmer (Mary) Fouraker, who became Jasper’s stepbrother after the death of his wife, preceded him in death. In addition to his daughter, Angelyn “Angie” (Gerald) Smith, son, Jasper (Missy) Griffin, Jr., stepchildren Debbie Wesch (Tommy) Riggins, Tina Wesch (John) Lessard, and Hugo “Chip” (Lisa) Wesch, sister-in-law Mary Fouraker, grandchildren Brooks Smith, Grant Smith, Mark Smith, Julie Griffin, Brenda Sue Griffin, and Michael Griffin, foster grandson Ja
Jasper was a devoted father who valued his family dearly. He adored his stepchildren as well as their offspring.
Dr. Lynn Hyatt will preside over a Celebration of Jasper’s Life on Tuesday, November 22, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Callahan First Baptist Church. Verdie Cemetery will afterwards host the funeral. On Monday, November 21, 2022, the family will host friends at Nassau Funeral Home from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Nassau Funeral Home is in charge of making arrangements.
