John W. "Johnny" Griffin Jr.

John Griffin Obituary

John William "Johnny" Griffin, Jr., 60, of Raleigh died Tuesday, May 1, 2007 at his home.
Johnny was born in Raleigh to the late John W. Griffin, Sr., and Rudine Whitley Griffin. He worked in the family business at Johnny's Restaurant on Capital Blvd. in Raleigh for many years.
He is survived by his life partner of 30 years, Sue McKenzie of the home; sister, Sherry Sanderford and husband, Larry of Atlantic Beach; niece and nephew, Denise and Tommy Flynn; and Sue's brother, Troy McKenzie.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday in the Chapel of Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, 831 Wake Forest Road.
The family will receive friends on Friday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to a favorite charity.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.bryan-leefuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The News & Observer on May 4, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for John Griffin

8 Entries

Stephanie (Coats) Spivey

May 9, 2007

I am so sorry to hear of Johnny's passing. When my parents told me, I was floored. I quickly remembered of the times I saw him at the race tracks when I was younger and all the fun my parents had with him around. Then I remembered of the times I saw him at Loafer's as I was older. He lived life like we all should....to its fullest! He will be greatly missed! The family is in my thoughts and prayers!

william pahl

May 8, 2007

Dear Sue and family, I always enjoyed being around Johnny. His lust for life and great humor was always uplifting. I'll always remember the trips for the boat races.So glad we saw you both recently and talked of all those good times. PEACE be with you,Billy and Martha Pahl

Lewis Straughn

May 4, 2007

I am so sorry to hear of Johnny's passing. I am Matt and Mattie Straughn's nephew. Aunt Mattie was John Sr's Mother and Johnny's grandmother. My Aunt Polly worked at Johnny's resturant years ago and Johnny and I had a lot fun together back then. He was always a good friend and fun to be around. I pray for all that are mourning his passing and wish they will find peace in this very sad time.

Bonnie Jacob Humphrey

May 4, 2007

Johnny will surely be missed by his family, many friends, and especially Sue McKenzie. I first met Johnny about 30 years ago. Sue and I were roommates for about 10 years. Then she met Johnny, I lost a roommate but she found the “Love of her Life” Those were in the 70’s, the days of the Five Points pubs, such as “The Jolly Knave” and on Hillsborough Street, “The Players Retreat”. We use to spend many evenings at Sue’s and Johnny’s home. The guys played pool and the girls did what they did, fixed the salad and all the trimmings that went along with the best tasting steak you ever put in your mouth. Johnny was a superb chef when it came to putting a steak on the grill. Johnny loved to entertain. If we were not at his home a group of 10 to 15 went to this awesome Steak House, I believe it was called Swinsons/Swansons. We would leave there and go “DANCING the SHAG” at the “Embers Club” or this other club owned also by a guy name “Johnny”. We did like to have fun but by the Grace of God, we survived! Unknowingly to us during those days, there must have been a billion prayers lifted to our Heavenly Father; “Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do” To Johnny’s family and his friends – I will keep you in my heart, thoughts and prayers. We will miss you Johnny! Love You Sue!

Roxanna J. Evans

May 4, 2007

I am saddened to hear of the death of my first cousin Johnny. I remember when we played together as children. Haven't seen much of him in later years.

Bonnie Jacob Humphrey

May 4, 2007

Johnny will be missed dearly by his family and so many friends. Johnny shared 30 years of his life with my very dearest friend, Sue McKenzie. Sue and I were roommates for over 10 years back in the 70’s (back in the days of the 5 Point’s pubs such as: Jolly Knave & on Hillsborough-the Players Retreat). When Johnny and Sue became a couple, I lost my roommate but that was o.k. because she found the “LOVE of Her Life”. I remember the days and evenings at their home where Johnny graciously entertained us with wonderful parties! WOW! Johnny knew how to grill a tasty steak! We would always gather around their home, two and sometimes three times a week. The guys played pool and the girls did what they did; fix the salad and all the fixings for a good meal. After a wonderful meal, we would all sit back and enjoy a lot of good conversation. Not only did we spend time at their home in Raleigh, we would spend the weekends at Atlantic Beach at Johnny’s family’s beach home. (and at The Jolly Knave) I also remember a big group of us spending a lot of time at this awesome steak house (I think it was Swansons/Swinsons) across from the hospital. Afterwards, we would go to the Embers Club or that “two step club” and there was a club own by another Johnny but I can’t remember the name. We went through every century of dancing there was; the twist, the jerk, the two step but the Shag was and is the DANCE! Those were the days to remember – we were so young and honestly innocently playful. We survived from the prayers of parents! God pull us through! Johnny will be missed but he leaves a legacy of fun memories!

ROY SPEIGHT

May 4, 2007

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Tommy and Sandra Byrum

May 4, 2007

We
are shocked and saddened by the news of Johnny's passing. Sandra and I
have known Johnny and Sue since we were all kids. There's not enough
room here to tell the all the stories of good times that we had. We
will miss Johnny and hope that someday we will see him again. Our Love
to you Sue and Sherry.
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