George W. Griffin

Induction Ceremony
October 18, 2005

February 28, 1926 - December 19, 2011
Click HERE for Obituary

Click HERE to View Pictures From the Induction Ceremony

George W. Griffin, Chairman Emeritus, Laurel Grocery Company, began his distinguished career in the food industry under the tutelage of the two founding partners, G.W. Griffin, Sr. and W.J. Chesnut.

The company George W. Griffin would someday lead had simple beginnings in 1922 when the Griffin and Chesnut partnership started distributing groceries in the evening after they worked their daytime railroad jobs. Griffin and Chesnut loaded grocery orders on horse drawn wagons and trucks for delivery to stores throughout the Laurel County area. By the late 1930’s, Laurel Grocery had become the first business in Laurel County to achieve sales of $1 million and their clientele included not only grocers, but schools, restaurants, and other large institutions.

In 1964 when the time came for the founding partners of the company to turn over the reigns of management to the next generation, George W. Griffin was ready to lead the next chapter of the company’s history. His plan was to provide independent retailers with the merchandise and services allowing retailers to grow and prosper as the main supplier of food and household products to consumers.

Mr. Griffin served on the National American Wholesale Grocers Board of Governors for two terms beginning in 1967. He was elected President of the Kentucky Wholesale Grocers Association in 1979 and the KGA/KACS honored Mr. Griffin as Kentucky Grocer of the Year in 1986. He has been active in many civic events along with service to his community and the state of Kentucky.

A graduate of the Kentucky Military Institute (’43) and the University of Kentucky (‘50), he has been active in many civic events and  in service to his community and the state of Kentucky. 

 

Today with a new leadership team put in place by George before his retirement in 1997 and headed by Bruce Chesnut, Laurel Grocery Company is well positioned to continue growing into the 21st century. The third generation of a tried and true partnership between the Griffin and Chesnut families now operates a modern new warehouse, a state of the art computer tracking system for inventory control and uniform pricing, and generates sales of over $300 million per year. The company remains in the ownership and management of the Griffin and Chesnut families and serves over 450 retail stores in Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, and of course, Kentucky.

 

KGA members across the state honor George W. Griffin as the one of the original three inductees for 2005 into the Kentucky Grocers Hall of Fame.

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KGA/KACS "Hall of Fame" Member
George Washington (G.W.) Griffin Passes Away After Extended Illness

LONDON, KY
George Washington “G.W.” Griffin, 85, died December 19, 2011, from complications of pneumonia. Born on February 28, 1926 in East Bernstadt, Kentucky, G.W. attended the Kentucky Military Institute, Wake Forest University and graduated from the University of Kentucky, where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity. Having served in World War II, he was a proud veteran of the United States Navy.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Elizabeth Park “Sis” Griffin, and sister Margaret Fouts of Lacey, Washington. He was preceded in death by his brother William “Bill” Griffin. G.W. and Sis have three children, Elizabeth (Hal) McCoy of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, George William (Becky) Griffin, of Lexington, Kentucky, and Winston (Shannon) Griffin, of London, Kentucky, and five grandchildren, Winston Park Griffin, Charlotte Grace Griffin, Griffin Bell McCoy, Catherine Rose Griffin, and Bella James Griffin.

G.W. was a member of First Baptist Church. He was a founding member and past president of the London Country Club and long-time member of Biltmore Forest Country Club. He served on the board of trustees of the University of Kentucky for 16 years which is how he met his partner in crime and close friend, the late, great Dr. Otis Singletary.

G.W. was past chairman of Laurel Grocery Company, Cumberland Valley National Bank, Institutional Distributors, London Rotary Forms, and the Food Marketing Education Council (the Red Coats). He was a board member of Cumberland College, National-American Wholesale Grocers Association, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Appalachian Computer Systems, and Kentucky Grocers Association. He was an initial inductee into the Kentucky Grocers Hall of Fame.

An avid golfer and thoroughbred horse owner/racing enthusiast, G.W. traveled all over the world to pursue his passions but his favorite place was always the great state of Kentucky. A diehard UK fan, G.W. never missed a home football game until he became too ill to attend.

The Griffin family extends heartfelt gratitude to Don Dossett for his loving care and assistance with G.W. these last two years. Services will be 11:00AM Wednesday at First Baptist Church, 804 W. 5th Street, London, Kentucky, Dr. Terry Lester officiating. Burial will be in A.R. Dyche Memorial Park. Visitation 5-8PM Tuesday at House-Rawlings Funeral Home, 510 E. 4th Street, London, Kentucky. Donations to George W. Griffin Charitable Scholarship Trust, PNC Institutional Investments, 1900 East 9th Street, Cleveland, OH 44114, attn: Lauren Middleton.

The KGA/KACS extends heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the Griffin family for their loss.

Mr. Griffin was inducted into the KGA/KACS “Hall of Fame” on October 18, 2005.

Click HERE for Mr. Griffin's KGA/KACS Hall of Fame information.