Jerry Wayne Griffith

Jerry Wayne Griffith, age 74, of Odessa, Texas, peacefully entered the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, February 20, 2023. Jerry was born September 25, 1948 to Perry and Irene (Connell) Griffith in Wichita Falls, Texas. He attended school in Kermit and Andrews before moving with his family to Odessa where he graduated from Odessa High School in 1967.  After high school, Jerry attended the University of Texas at Austin where he studied psychology.  Later in life, he went on to complete his BA in psychology from The University of Texas Permian Basin.  

Jerry loved cars, motorcycles, bass boats, anything that goes fast.  At the age of 11, he and his older brother, Perry, overhauled their first engine in a ’52 Chevy.  It was an early passion and mechanical aptitude that led to his successful career in the automotive industry. Jerry started his career as an a/c technician and advanced to top management at a few local dealerships before becoming an Automotive Technology Instructor at Odessa College.  While teaching at Odessa College, Jerry was instrumental in guiding the automotive program to achieve NATEF certification.  He retired from the college in 2015.

Jerry was very competitive and a bit of a daredevil.  In his younger years. he raced cars and dirt bikes. He broke a few bones trying to master the wheelie.  He also loved racquetball, tennis, golf, and fishing.  Whatever he played, he always played to win. He shared his love of motocross with his daughter Linsey and his love of golf with his son Jared.  He was very proud of his children and would praise them to anyone who would listen. Jerry’s life stories could entertain for hours.  If you were a family member or friend cast in these stories, you valued your place in them.  He was deeply loved and will be dearly missed.  

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Perry and Irene Griffith, and his nephew Joseph Griffith. He is survived by his son Jared Griffith, daughter Linsey (Griffith) Driver, son-in-law James Driver, brothers Perry (Lucy) Griffith and Gary (Sharon) Griffith, grandchildren Hannah, Devyn and Megan Driver, great-grandchildren Ansleigh and Mason Driver, nephews Kevin (Lori) Griffith, Kelly (Shannon) Griffith, and John (Debbie) Webb, and nieces Kerri (Leddy) Griffith French, Carla (Chris) Griffith Byrne, and Marcy (Jeff) Griffith Askins.

No services will be held at this time.

Arrangements are entrusted to Acres West Funeral Chapel of Odessa and condolences to the family may be sent online at acreswestfuneral.com.