Samuel Asbury Griffin

Samuel Asbury Griffin
Samuel Asbury Griffin was born in 1937 on a houseboat on Lake Okeechobee. At the age of 12, he began guiding sport fishermen on Lake O. His family developed and operated Uncle Joe's Fish Camp in Moore Haven and Angler's Marina in Clewiston until the mid 1970's. In 1980, Sam began designing and manufacturing top water fishing lures. He and his wife Carol owned and operated Custom Lures by Sam until his death.
Sam was an outspoken advocate for Lake Okeechobee and Glades County, serving as County Commissioner and on the Lake Okeechobee Advisory Council, where he was instrumental in the establishment of a fisheries office in Okeechobee with Freshwater Fish and Game Commission. He truly shaped the way Lake Okeechobee looks today, cutting boat trails in the lake with the Corp of Engineers and marking channels. In recognition for his contributions to the freshwater fishing industry, Sam was inducted into the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame in 2019. In June 2021, the Sam Griffin Scenic Tower in Lakeport was dedicated in his honor.
Sam served in the National Guard from 1959 – 1965 and was an active member of St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Clewiston, where he served on the vestry board.
Sam is survived by his wife of 62 years, Carol; his son, Samuel Joseph and wife Laurie; his daughter, Crissy and husband Mike; his beloved grandchildren, Danielle, Matthew, Katelyn, Connor and Emily; a large extended family and many, many loving friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Thelma Griffin; brothers, Stanley and Tommy Wayman and Richard Griffin; and his nephew, Dennis Griffin.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Martin's Episcopal Church or a charity of your choice.
A private church service will be held for Samuel's family. A Celebration of Life will follow at Lakeport Community Center, 1239 Red Barn Road NW Moore Haven, Florida 33471 on Saturday, August 21, 2021 from 1-3 p.m. where all friends and family are welcome.