Ralph Clayton Griffin

Services for Ralph Clayton Griffin, 78, of Grand Saline, are scheduled for 11 a.m., Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at Bartley Funeral Home, with Bro. Billy Smith officiating.

Interment will follow in Woodside Cemetery.

Ralph Griffin passed away on June 20, 2025, in Tyler, Texas. He was born on August 21, 1946, in Grand Saline to Alton Morris and Rhoda Lorene Long Griffin.

A lifelong East Texan, Ralph was born and raised in Grand Saline, where he graduated from Grand Saline High School in 1964. On May 22, 1970, he married the love of his life, Irene Vasquez, in Edgewood.

Ralph spent several years living in Mesquite before returning to his hometown of Grand Saline in 2000. He attended Corinth Baptist Church and was a man of quiet faith and strong work ethic.

His professional career began with Paul Teal’s Grocery Store, where he worked for eight years before moving on to positions at Safeway and Food Lion. He later retired from Texas T Grocery.

In retirement, Ralph found joy in woodworking—building birdhouses, benches, and furniture. He also dedicated time to repairing bicycles and donating them to families in need. One young girl affectionately nicknamed him “Bicycle Santa,” a title that brought him great pride.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Bobby Allen and Don Griffin; sister, Dorothy Starnes; and brothers-in-law, Darby Ethridge, Willie Holt, and Henry Starnes.

He will be remembered for his generous spirit, hardworking nature, and the kindness he showed to all who knew him.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Irene Griffin of Grand Saline; son, Johnathan Glyn Griffin of Grand Saline; sister, Mary Nell Ethridge Holt of Forney; sisters-in-law, Sherry Allen of Hideaway and Sheral Griffin of Grand Saline; and numerous other relatives and friends.

The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m., Monday, at the funeral home.