Derrell J. Griggs

  Derrell J. Griggs, age 93, of Weatherford, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, January 8, 2026. He was born on June 29, 1932, in De Queen, Arkansas, to Charles C. Griggs and Bertha E. (Williams) Griggs.

  Derrell met and married Beverly “Janice” Coffey in Victoria, Texas. They were lifelong sweethearts until her passing 10 days before their 65th anniversary. You rarely saw one without the other. Derrell held her hand during his beloved’s short time on hospice and talked to her often. He remained devoted to Janice until the end.

  After graduating from Lamar University with a degree in geology, Derrell built a long and successful career with Shell Oil Company. He worked primarily offshore as a drilling foreman, later spending time in onshore operations. He also completed a four-year assignment in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, serving as an Operations Manager. After 25 years of dedicated service, he retired in 1986.

  Active in his community, Derrell was a Mason for more than 50 years and a member of Pine Lodge No. 642. He was also a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Dennis, where he loved his church family and attended regularly.

  Known for his “green thumb,” Derrell was an avid gardener who loved propagating plants, flower bushes, and irises, generously sharing them with others. He also worked hard to have a beautiful stand of bluebonnets each year in his yard close to the road.

  Avid travelers, Derrell and Janice made several trips pulling their RVs with their son and daughter-in-law in Texas and in earlier years up to Utah and back.

  Derrell and his daughter made many trips together, mainly within Texas, to see extended family and friends, but also once a year drove to Utah to visit his granddaughters and their families. In 2024, he made the trip to Utah to meet his great-great-grandson. He was so proud of Ryker and loved that he lived to see five generations. He made the trip again in 2025 for Ryker’s first birthday and was content and happy holding Ryker as much as he would allow.

  The one word that best describes Derrell is love. He loved his Lord, Jesus Christ, and he loved his family. 

  Derrell was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Beverly Janice Griggs; his parents, Charles and Bertha Griggs; and his siblings, Travis Clifton Griggs, Floyd Charles Griggs, Kenneth Russell Griggs, and Celetha Estelle Griggs Bryant. 

  He is survived by his son, Kenneth W. Griggs and wife, Lana, and his daughter, Susan Griggs, all of Weatherford, Texas; three grandchildren, Melissa Lefler (Jason) of Duchesne, Utah, Stephanie Maynes (Mike) of Neola, Utah, and Alicia Griggs of Fort Worth, Texas; ten great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

  Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at Galbreaith Pickard Funeral Chapel in Weatherford, Texas. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 12, 2026, at the First Baptist Church of Dennis, with burial to follow at Buckner Cemetery, in Brock, Texas. 

  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the First Baptist Church of Dennis, P.O. Box 165, Dennis, Texas 76439.

Arrangements are by Galbreaith Pickard Funeral Chapel. https://www.galbreaithpickard.com/