JAMES W. GRIFFIN

1933 - 2023

GRIFFIN

James Wilson Griffin (Jim) fulfilled his allotted life on this Earth on October 21, 2023, at the age of 90. Jim was born on July 25, 1933, in McKinney, Texas and was the only child of James Dewey Griffin and Lucille Wilson Griffin. Jim was educated in the McKinney public school system graduating from Boyd High School in 1952. He continued his education at the University of Texas at Austin, graduating in 1957 with a BS in Civil Engineering.

Upon graduation Jim joined Texaco as a junior engineer performing civil site infrastructure and petroleum process design at the Port Arthur, Texas refinery. He served in the United States Army 1964-1968. In succeeding years, Jim pursued the practice of civil engineering as an employee of Texaco, Halff Associates, Uvalde Construction Company, the Texas Turnpike Authority, the Texas Department of Transportation, the Alamo Regional Mobility Authority, and the North Texas Tollway Authority. Throughout Jim's 66-year civil engineering practice, he nourished a passionate belief that a robust Texas economy is heavily dependent upon a modern, well-maintained, high-capacity highway network financed from multiple sources. Jim dedicated his professional life in pursuit of that goal.

In 1968, Jim was recruited by the Texas Turnpike Authority as its single staff engineer performing civil infrastructure designs, writing specifications, evaluating and recruiting consulting engineers, reviewing construction bids, and presenting contract award recommendations to the TTA Board. All this while managing construction and maintenance on the developing turnpike system. Griffin represented three turnpike agencies in evaluating potential turnpike feasibility with bond counselors, investment insurers, federal and state agencies, and large institutional investors. He became a team member and then team leader for creating the financing plans leading to the successful marketing of turnpike revenue bonds financing new turnpikes and functioning turnpike expansions.

While employed by the NTTA, Jim served as CEO between 1994 and 1997. Griffin was appointed as Interim CEO of the newly created Texas Turnpike Division (TTD) of the TxDOT until a permanent CEO of the TTD was appointed. He was then retained as an advisor to TTD. There he applied his then 30 years of turnpike development and operational experience to the design, financing, and deployment of over 120 miles of turnpikes in Central Texas. One of the new turnpikes, SH 130, was developed under an exclusive development agreement between TTD and a private consortium. The 130 Turnpike was developed under the design/build/maintain process, the first use of this process in developing our Texas highways. In those 40 years of employment experience with Texas Turnpike agencies, Jim actively participated in the successful planning and marketing of $3.95 billion in turnpike revenue bonds. He represented Texas turnpike agencies in the activities of the International Bridge Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTAA) beginning in 1969 and served multiple terms on its Board of Directors. In 2008, in recognition of a lifetime of service to transportation, tolling, and IBTTA, Jim was elected an Honorary Member, the highest honor the IBTTA can bestow on an individual. Jim was also a Life and Fellow Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and Life Member of the National Society of Professional Engineers. From 1999 until his passing, Jim served as a trusted advisor to the Alamo Regional Mobility Authority and the North Texas Turnpike Authority. His legacy is evidenced in the growth and success of both.

Jim was a member of Highland Park Presbyterian Church and felt enriched and inspired by the services conducted there. He is survived by a number of cousins and cherished by the family of his best friend of 86 years: Charles Allen Angel, Jr. and wife, Stacey; Charles Allen Angel III (Trey), wife, Nicole, and son, Chase; Martin Scott Angel and wife, Paige, son, Davis, and daughter Abigail, all of Dallas; and Rande and Tom Ross of Fort Worth.

Preceded by a private burial at Pecan Grove Cemetery in McKinney, a memorial service will be held at Highland Park Presbyterian Church, 3821 University Boulevard, Dallas, Texas 75205, on Friday, November 10, 2023, at 10:00AM.

Jim has requested that in lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Dallas VNA Meals on Wheels, 1440 W. Mockingbird Lane, Dallas 75247; Presbyterian Children's Homes and Services, 5920 W. William Cannon Drive, Bldg. 3, Suite 100, Austin, TX 78749, American Heart Association, or a charity deserving of your support. To convey condolences and to sign an online registry, please visit www.tjmfuneral.com.