James Eddie Griffin
December 11, 1946 ~ July 17, 2025
A Tribute to a Life Well Lived
James Eddie Griffin was born on December 11, 1946, in Arcola, Mississippi. He was one of thirteen children of the late Belton Griffin Sr. and Bobbi Griffin.
James completed his early education at H.M. Nailor Elementary School and graduated from East Side High School in Cleveland, Mississippi, in 1965. He continued his studies at T.J. Harris Junior College before transferring to Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in History. James further advanced his academic credentials at Sul Ross University in Alpine, Texas, earning a Master’s Degree with a double major in History and English.
During his time at Hardin-Simmons University, James met and married Earma Dell Reed, resulting in a family of four children: Yolanda, James, LaFonda, and Artie. His granddaughter, Tori, held a particularly cherished place in his life.
James served in the United States Army as an aircraft mechanic and received a National Defense Service Medal Expert (Rifle).
After completing his service in the Army, James commenced his teaching and coaching career in Corpus Christi, Texas in 1972. The following year, he relocated to Big Spring, Texas, where he served as a high school teacher and coach and notably pursued and succeeded in a lawsuit related to discrimination. In 1978, James and his family moved to San Antonio, Texas, where he coached at Sul Ross Junior Middle School until 1984. He then assumed the role of Boys Athletic Coordinator at Whittier Middle School, where he was instrumental in initiating the “Just Say No” to drugs campaign. Upon retiring from Whittier in 2004, James continued to contribute to education as a permanent substitute teacher with SAISD, a position he held until 2019.
James was a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Psi Alpha Chapter in San Antonio, Texas. He was also affiliated with the Mississippi Delta Ex-Ballers and had been selected for induction into the Hall of Fame this September 2025. Additionally, he maintained active membership at Mt. Zion First Baptist Church.
His family played a pivotal role in his life, providing him with strength, motivation, and profound satisfaction. He exhibited unwavering dedication in his roles as a child, sibling, partner, parent, grandparent. His ability to maintain each relationship with patience and respect was evident both in daily interactions and during significant milestones. His friends and students were regarded as family, too, and the warmth of hospitality extended to all.
He was predeceased by his parents; his former spouse of 36 years, Earma Dell Griffin; his son, James O. Griffin; his brothers, William C. Griffin, Willie Vernon Griffin, Mack Henry Griffin, Sr., and Belton Griffin Jr.; and his sisters, Bobbie Lee Griffin, Frances A. Griffin, and Willie Mae Wesley.
He is remembered with affection by his daughters, Yolanda Williamson and LaFonda Griffin; his son, Artie Griffin; and his granddaughter, Tori Griffin. His passing is also mourned by his dear friend and confidante, Johnnie Pastran and her son Chad Wilson; his brothers, Charlie Griffin, Tevora (Gloria) Griffin, Sr., and Larry Don Griffin; and his sisters, Mary Burks and Shirley (Curtis) Shaffer. He is additionally survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Services
Cemetery: Monday, August 4, 2025 1:30 pm
Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery
1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd.
San Antonio, TX
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So when I was in middle school at Whittier. I played basketball 7th and 8th grade (1999-2000). I had a great season (granted I wasn’t very good lol). But during the summer of my 8th grade year I had to help watch my nephew who was in the hospital. I didn’t get to practice at all the at summer, coach saw that I was struggling and asked if I was okay… He took the time to figure out what was wrong with me. Not only was he a great teacher/coach, but to take the time to notice what is wrong with your students shows how much he cared.
I also didnt know that coach was a Veteran. So from one veteran to another thank you for your service to this great country!!!
Relelation 21:4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
Rest Easy Coach!!! My sincerest condolences to you and your family!!!
Coach Griffin was one tough cookie. He once told us about how he would get his kid’s attention by saying 1..2..3. He would do the same thing at Whittier during PE. REST IN PEACE Coach Griffin.
I didn’t get to know James that well but I knew COACH GRIFFIN at Sul Ross Middle School! Coach Griffin believed in my feeble basketball games and started me as point guard every game. He encouraged me to try new things and to have confidence in myself. He was like the big brother/father figure in middle school. Coach Griffin had no filters and told you what it is. I could not fully appreciate that about him at the time but I clearly understand now.
Would be selfish of me to wish good people like Coach Griffin could live forever and just stay around. Even though I saw him once or twice after leaving middle school…more than 40 years later seeing this on facebook brings him back to me and I remember clearly like it was yesterday. We have lost another great black man but his contributions to society in general will last forever.
RIP Coach Griffin!
Bro. Sip, your words of encouragement, laughter, and spirit will live on through those who have shared them. May your journey to Omega Chapter be peaceful. Continue your watchful eye alongside the Founders!
SIO
Bro. Mayers (29)
I loved Sip. I Pledged him and was his Friend.
Coach Griffin was my 7th grade Texas History teacher at Sul Ross middle school.
Even at that young age I knew he was different in the sense that he cared about us/me/everyone that he came into contact with in his life.
He was the epitome of a gentleman and a scholar and I was so grateful for being able to know him.
RIP Coach Griffin
He was my coach at O.W. Holmes in San Antonio, TX. He couldn’t pronounce my last name so he just called me Eno. Best coach ever. May he rest in peace.
This is a tough one.. What Coach meant to me ,, I really cant say enough about him He would always check up on me.. See how I was doing.. Taught me his famous half court shot.. But I will always remember him calling me Mijo. Not a lot of people make difference in my life.: But James , Coach Griffin did..
RIP Coach Griffin..
Sul Ross Rebels..
This is a tough one for me… When I saw this,, It brought a lot of memories… The mentorship he provided will never leave me.. He checked on me throughout my life and called me Mijo.. ( Mijo is a story in itself) … He taught me his famous half court hook shot….. He taught me never to quit…Most of all , He was there whenever I needed him.. He was that way for a lot of people.. He will be missed , But never forgotten.
RIP Coach…
My deepest condolences to the Griffin family. I hadn’t seen Coach Griffin for close to 40 years, but he literally crossed my mind a few weeks back. Not only was he a coach, but a great Texas History teacher at Sul Ross Middle School. I can still remember the building and classroom as if it were yesterday. Thank you for being a great role model for students to look up to.
I can still picture Coach Griffin strutting around campus at Sul Ross Middle School. Yes, I said strut. He didn’t walk, he strutted. I never had him for a class, but I knew who he was. We all did! Coach Griffin was larger than life. He was always smiling and talking to students. He’d drop a word or two in Spanish here & there. He was loved by his students, that was clearly visible. He was what my father-in-law would call a “Cool Cat.” My Mom started working at Sul Ross in 1981, so she would often mention Coach Griffin when talking about her job. By that time, I was in high school. You touched many lives, Coach Griffin. May you rest in peace. Thank you for caring about your students and making a difference in the lives of so many. You were a real one!
Go Rebels!
I Meet Mr.Griffin while play basketball with Artie going into our senior year of high school. You will be missed Self rest up.Until we meet again. May god bless your entire family. Luv you.
Mr. Griffin aka Sip was an inspiration to me, DC aka Duane Clarke as he keep us out of trouble keep us in the gym learning the game of basketball my biggest memory is he told me if go to the Army he said you want to be a helicopter mechanic and look at me now a current Bell Jet Rangers 206L still flying.. Mr Sip love you until we meet again Love you!
I met Mr.Griffin going into my senior year of high school. Artie i know this is a big lost for you and your family. Self stay strong my god bless you and your family. Much luv.
prayers goes out to my uncle and his kids we will miss you uncle griffin RIP