Edward Clark Griffith

Edward Clark Griffith (Ed) died on February 12, 2021. He was born on January 16, 1939 in Taylor, Texas to John McLean Griffith and Kathryn Griffith Griffith.

He graduated from Taylor High School in 1957 where he participated in football, basketball, track, and golf. He attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas where he graduated with a B.B.A. in finance. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity and SMU’s freshman golf team.

While at SMU, he met Martha Ann Hamblen of Dallas, Texas. They were married at Fort Stewart, GA on October 20, 1961 after he had been called to active duty as a member of the 49th Armored Division of the Texas National Guard during the Berlin Crisis.

Ed and Martha lived in Georgia and then in Louisiana, where he was stationed at Fort Polk. Ed returned to Taylor in late 1962. He then joined his father in employment at City National Bank of Taylor where he later served as President, then as Chairman of the Board of Directors, and remained active in the management of the bank until his death.

During his life in Taylor, he served in numerous civic capacities, including the Board of Trustees of Johns Community Hospital. He was a member of St. James Episcopal Church and later a member of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Austin.

Ed is survived by his wife Martha; daughter Martha Kathryn Griffith; son Edward C. Griffith, Jr. and wife Beth; daughter Ann Hughes and husband Louis; and daughter Molly Graham and husband Andrew. He is also survived by nine grandchildren--Edward Clark Griffith III, William Reese Griffith, and Anna Cathryn Griffith; Martha Elizabeth Hughes, Jane Ann Hughes, and William Louis Hughes; and Andrew David Graham, Jr., Edward Griffith Graham, and Margaret McLean Graham. His brothers John M. Griffith, Jr. and wife Shirley and Gene M. Griffith and wife Judith also survive him along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws.

Ed loved God’s creation, and he marveled in the beauty of nature. He appreciated every living thing--from every wild animal and bird and bug, to trees and grasses and wildflowers, to cattle and crops. He loved his fellow man from all walks of life, and he touched many hearts.

Funeral services will be held at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Austin on Sunday, February 21st at 2:30 p.m. A graveside service for the family will follow at the Wilson Springs Cemetery near Taylor. To watch the services by livestream, please click on the following link: https://vimeo.com/user16790916

Arrangements are by Providence Funeral Home. Pallbearers are Griff Bandy, James Marek, Jim Jirasek, Steven Kovar, Andy Littlejohn, Mark Lindell, Ken McConchie, and Pete Zimmerhanzel.

Memorials may be made to Redeemer Presbyterian Church of Austin (2111 Alexander Ave., Austin, TX 78722), St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101-9929), Shriners Hospitals for Children (Processing Center, P.O. Box 1510, Ronson, WV, 25438-4510), and the Rutledge Cancer Foundation (5608 Malvey Ave., Suite 306, Fort Worth, TX 76107).