Tommy Elton Griffin

Tommy Elton Griffin, 73, of Waxahachie, Texas left suffering behind for a home in heaven on Thursday, October 12.

The oldest of three children, Tommy was born on April 10, 1944 to Thomas and Edna Arzette Griffin in Kosciusko, Mississippi. In 1951 the family moved to Waxahachie, Texas. He graduated Waxahachie High School in 1962, where he played football, ran track, and was a member of Future Farmers of America. Following high school, he joined the Marines and married Barbara Thomas. They had three children Angie, Tina, and Tommy Jr.

He was selected as the Sergeant Major of the 14th Marine Regiment, which consisted of approximately 7,000 Marines. He graduated from Sergeant Major Training at Quantico and he continued his Marines seniors training at Quantico. He insisted that his Military success was due to being surrounding by talented officers, staff and COs.

While serving in the Reserves he went to work at DuPont. He brought his organizational and leadership skills from the Marines to DuPont, and literally changed the way a division of one of the world’s largest companies operates - rolling out an innovative, outsourced model to their production plants around the globe. He wrapped up a stellar career at DuPont by landing the Division a $200M, 5-year contract, ensuring revenue and jobs for those who followed him.

In 1986 Tommy married Wanda Cote and gained son Ernie. After Wanda’s death, Tommy remarried Barbara Lambert in 2008.

Tommy is survived by his much loved family consisting of brother Sam Griffin (Caron); sister Ann Hyles; children Angie Griffin (Kat), Tina White (John), Tommy Griffin Jr. (Kara), Ernie Cote (Leslie), Valli Stewart (Andrew), and Mike Plog (Shannon); grandchildren Natalie White, Brenna White, Emma Stewart, Andy Red, Kirk Stewart, Zoe Cote, Jillian Griffin, Foster Cote, Elijah Plog, and Ryleigh Griffin; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.