John Ward Griffith

John Ward Griffith (Johnny / JW)

John Ward Griffith, affectionately known as Johnny or JW, age 70, of Bossier City, Louisiana, passed away on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, surrounded by love and comfort from his family, following a lengthy illness.

Visitation will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Boone Funeral Home, located at 2156 Airline Drive, Bossier City, LA 71111. Funeral services will immediately follow at 2:00 p.m., with John’s lifelong friend, Paul Nixon, delivering the eulogy. Burial will follow the service at Rose-Neath Cemetery, located at 5185 Swan Lake Road, Bossier City, LA 71111.

John was born on January 27, 1955, in San Antonio, Texas. He was a 1973 graduate of Southwood High School in Shreveport, Louisiana, and later attended LSUS.

On May 18, 1985, John married the love of his life, Ivie Jane “Janie” Carpenter Griffith. Standing proudly beside them on their wedding day were John’s daughter, Melissa Griffith Forney, and Janie’s son, Jesse Daniel Basco, symbolizing the beautiful family they would build together.

John was the President and co-owner of Griffith Wholesale Plants, a family business founded by his parents. He devoted the majority of his life to the company and took great pride in working daily alongside his wife. John was a dedicated, passionate business owner until illness required him to step back and retire at the age of 60.

A man of many talents and interests, John had a lifelong love of flying and earned his private pilot’s license in July 1976. He and Janie cherished flying together and exploring new destinations whenever they could. John also developed a deep passion for music at a young age, teaching himself to play the guitar. With a natural ear for music, chords came easily to him, and each afternoon he could be found strumming his guitar and singing to Janie—moments that brought him immense joy.

John loved the water and seized every opportunity to be on it. He enjoyed water skiing and spending time at Lake of the Pines, Lake DeGray, and Lake Ouachita, as well as traveling extensively with their children. John and Janie also shared many treasured trips with their dear friends, Cindy and Stephen Schwartz, visiting destinations such as Hawaii, Florida, Chicago, Tennessee, California, Lake Tahoe, Montana, and many others.

Known affectionately as a “jack of all trades and a master of all,” John possessed remarkable knowledge and skill in countless areas. Above all else, his greatest purpose in life was to ensure that his wife felt loved, protected, and cared for every single day.

John is survived by his beloved wife of 40 years, Ivie (Janie) Griffith; his daughter, Melissa Griffith Forney (Sean Forney); his son, Jesse Daniel Basco (Ashley Roberson); his brother, David Griffith (Pam Griffith); and his grandchildren, Madeline Grace Basco, Connor Ward Vaitkus, Grayson Joseph Basco, Riley Lane Roberson, and Brynlee Sue Basco. He is also survived by his brothers-in-law, Donald Carpenter Jr. (Jamie Carpenter) and William Carpenter (Diana Carpenter), along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cherished lifelong friends.

John was preceded in death by his father, Chief Master Sergeant Donald Ward Griffith, USAF, Retired, and his mother, May Elizabeth Mary Griffith.

Pallbearers honoring John’s life are Mike Anderson, Terry Birmingham, Sean Forney, John Fulco, Edwin Granger, and Steve Schwartz.

In lieu of flowers, and if you so desire, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

John’s legacy of love, devotion, curiosity, and quiet strength will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.