Kenneth Joseph Griggy

Kenneth Joseph Griggy
Died on July 21, 2010, after an 18-year battle with brain and ocular cancer.
He was born on
March 7, 1934 to parents, Margaret and Edward Griggy in Suffield, Ohio. Mr. Griggy's early education was in Canton, Ohio. After attending high school in Cincinnati, Ohio, he graduated from the Athenaeum of Ohio with a B.A. degree in Philosophy. He completed an additional 2 years of post graduate work in theology at St. Gregory Seminary. In 1961, he obtained a Master's Degree from Xavier University in Psychology. Mr. Griggy began his business career with Mead Johnson Laboratories in Evansville, Ind. He then joined Ralston Purina in St. Louis in 1964. He rose to the position of Corporate Vice President managing all of the consumer products divisions until his departure in 1973 to become President of Riviana Foods U.S.A. in Houston, Texas. In 1975 he joined Wilson & Co., which became Wilson Foods, as Chairman and CEO. He resigned from that position in 1988 after a hostile takeover. Mr. Griggy became President and CEO of GM Associates. He concluded his professional career as President and CEO of Golf USA. He retired in 1999. Highlights of Mr. Griggy's many professional associations include: Director and Member of the Executive Committee of the American Meat Institute, Board Member of the Pet Food Institute, Board Member of the Cereal Institute, Board Member of the LTV Corporation, Board Member of Oklahoma City University, Chairman of the Board of Casady School, Board Member and Vice Chairman of the Oklahoma State Fair, Charter Member of the Committee of 100, Board Member of the Alliance Against Drugs, Board Member of the City Rescue Mission, Board Member of the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, Member of the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club, Chapter Chairman of the Young Presidents Organization, President of the 75 Club, Chairman of the Building Committee of Christ the King Church as well as an usher and choir member. Mr. Griggy's many talents included oil painting, cooking and golf. Some of his greatest pleasures were playing golf at the famous courses in Scotland as well as in the United States; serving wonderful meals to his family, and painting landscapes, which were prized by his family and friends. Since he was a long term brain cancer survivor, he never faltered in his will to survive. He was optimistic, never complaining, and always positive about his life. He offered hope and encouragement to others affiicted with this disease, and he was an inspiration to all who knew him.
Mr. Griggy is survived by his wife of 50 years, Janice Doetzel Griggy; his children include Jill Griggy of Oklahoma City and her children, Emily, Holly and Eric Ball; Matthew Griggy, and his children, Zachary and Christopher, of San Rafael, Calif.; K. Mark Griggy and his partner, Michael Escalante, and their son Nicholas Griggy-Escalante of Seattle Wash.; and Jennifer Griggy of Oklahoma City. Additional survivors include a brother, William Griggy and wife Nancy of North Canton, Ohio; a sister, Maryanne Beall and husband James of Massillon, Ohio; and a sister-in-law, Judy Kehner of Canton, Ohio; as well as nine nieces and nephews in Ohio.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 24, 2010, at Christ the King Church in Oklahoma.  Interment will be at Resurrection Memorial Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Christ the King Church project "A Bridge to Greystone", City Rescue Mission, or M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. 
Smith & Kernke
14624 N. May Avenue (405-302-0021)
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