James C. "Buddy" Griffin Jr.

1926 - 2018

James C. "Buddy" Griffin, Jr.

Madison - James C. "Buddy" Griffin, Jr., of Madison, Mississippi, age 92, died peacefully while at home with family on August 7, 2018. He was born in a farmhouse in Lee County, Mississippi, in 1926 to Esther Edgeworth Griffin and James Curtis Griffin, Sr. He worked on the family farm and graduated from Shannon High School as President of the class of 1944. He enlisted in the Army and, after basic training, he underwent paratrooper training. After earning his jump wings with the 11th Airborne Division, he also underwent special demolition training. He was deployed as the war was ending, and was stationed in Japan with the 127th Airborne Engineers Battalion.

After serving and being honorably discharged, he earned his undergraduate degree from Ole Miss, where he also attended his first two years of medical school. He continued medical school and received his medical degree from Washington University Medical School in St. Louis. Dr. Griffin did his medical internship at the University of Tennessee Medical School in Memphis, and then did his medical residency in surgery beginning in 1955 at the newly-opened University of Mississippi Medical School in Jackson, specializing in thoracic surgery.

After completing his residency as one of the first full five-year residents, he practiced thoracic surgery in Jackson for the next 35 years until his retirement. As a surgeon, he assisted in the first open heart surgery performed at a private hospital in Mississippi. During his practice, he was on staff at the various local hospitals where he held leadership positions. He also held leadership positions within and received honors from various medical organizations. He enjoyed hunting and fishing his entire life, and he supported more than one outdoor organization as a sponsor. Among the various outdoorsman awards he received was Mississippi Conservationist of the Year. No matter the activity, he always let the good times roll.

He was predeceased by his parents, and his sister, Joyce Dawson of San Antonio, Texas, and his son, J. Brooks Griffin, of Ridgeland, and his son-in-law, William Feezor, of Wilmington, North Carolina. He is survived by his wife, Mary Frances Loyacono Griffin of Madison, his sister, Helen Williams of Tupelo, his son and daughter-in-law, William and Jane Griffin of Jackson, his daughter, Elizabeth Feezor of Wilmington, North Carolina, and his daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Bob Carnell of Germantown, Tennessee, and stepdaughter, Lindsey Loyacono Lee, and her husband, Jerry McHan, of Madison, as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

After a private interment service, a celebration of Buddy Griffin's life and a visitation with family and friends will be held on Saturday, August 18, 2018, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in Foley Hall at St. Richard Catholic Church, 1242 Lynnwood Drive, Jackson, Mississippi 39206. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorials be made to the charity of your choice.