Griffin - Jasper Griffin, Sr., age 92, was born in Callahan, Florida on December 18, 1929, to Hansford Maynor and Geneva Higginbotham Griffin. He went to be with the Lord, November 7, 2022, after a brief illness while at Baptist Medical Center Downtown. By his testimony he came to know the Lord as his Savior at Mt. Olive Baptist Church when he was 14. Jasper became a member of Callahan First Baptist Church in 1964 and attended regularly most of his life.  He worked in the Audiovisual Ministry for a time and enjoyed it a great deal. Jasper lived a long and honorable life and was well respected by his community.

Except for when Jasper served in the Air Force in Alaska during the Korean War, he lived in Nassau County.  The Air Force apparently had a sense of humor.  Jasper was adventurous and loved to travel but always returned to Nassau County. After serving his country, he came home and at a young people's gathering at Bryceville Baptist Church he met the love of his life, Shirley Brooks. They were married there in June of 1954.  Jasper began a lifelong career in the railroad (40 years) working first as a Fireman, then becoming a Locomotive Engineer.   He began in 1952 with Atlantic Coastline and retired in 1992 from what was then CSX.  Jasper loved trains and all things associated with them.  His grandchildren liked to hear his "train stories".  After retirement Jasper and Shirley often traveled by motorcycle all over the Southeast and into the Smokies-often with a motorcycle club called the Retreads.  They made many new friends and had great experiences traveling this way.  They also often took their grandchildren on vacation-but not on the motorcycle!

Jasper had a mischievous sense of humor and loved to play pranks on his children, grandchildren and nieces and nephews or the many dogs that traveled through his life.

In his 40's, Jasper became a Master Mason and spent many hours teaching other young men the Craft.  He was a past Worshipful Master of Callahan Lodge #32 and was honored to be the first District Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Florida from Callahan Lodge.  Jasper was Mason for over 55 years.  Jasper was also a member of Callahan OES Chapter #154, the Scottish Rite and Shriners.

Jasper loved genealogy and the history of Nassau County. He was an active member of the West Nassau Historical Society and West Nassau Genealogy Society until he was unable to attend.  Jasper's ancestry included much of the history of Nassau County, as a direct descendant of Burris Higginbotham, a Revolutionary soldier who is considered a founding father of Nassau County.

Jasper's sweet wife Shirley passed of cancer in 1998.  They were married for 44 years. He later married Maxi Lou Wesch and they were married over 20 years until she passed in August 2021.

Jasper is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Ralph (Alice) Griffin, Oliver Terry (Angeline and Geri) Griffin; sister, Nancy (Rolf) Rosseland; nephew, Perry Griffin.; sister-in-law Dorothy (Donald) Surrency; brother-in-law, Elmer (Mary) Fouraker after his wife's death.

Jasper is survived by his daughter, Angelyn "Angie" (Gerald) Smith; son, Jasper (Missy) Griffin, Jr.; step-children, Debbie Wesch (Tommy) Riggins, Tina Wesch (John) Lessard, Hugo "Chip" (Lisa) Wesch;  brother-in-law, Gene (Olivia) Brooks; sister-in-law, Mary Fouraker; grandchildren, Brooks Smith,  Grant Smith, Mark Smith, Julie Griffin, Brenda Sue Griffin,  Michael Griffin; foster grandson, Jasper (Sarah) McGrath; nieces, Nicky (Tom) McCallum,  Carol (Mike) Snow, Francis (Wynn) Winfrey, Linda Ottinger, Robin Ellis, Ann Fouraker (Randy) Smith, Susan Surrency (Pete) Chestney, nephews, Bruce Rosseland, John Brooks, Donald Surrency, Jim Fouraker, William Brooks; great-grandchildren, Cheyanne Wilson, Hayley Wilson, Madison Wilson,  Hunter Wilson, Sloane Smith.

Jasper's family was precious to him, and he was a loving father.  He loved his stepchildren and their children as well.

A Celebration of Jasper's Life will be held on Tuesday, November 22, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Callahan First Baptist Church with Dr. Lynn Hyatt officiating.  Interment will follow at Verdie Cemetery.  Family will receive friends on Monday, November 21, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Nassau Funeral Home.  Arrangements are under the care and direction of Nassau Funeral Home, 541720 US-1, Callahan, Florida 32011, 904-879-1770. Visit www.nassaufh.com to sign the family's guest book.