Obituary of Sylvian Mayford Griffin

Sylvian Mayford “Doc” Griffin, 88, passed away peacefully while surrounded by family on Tuesday, October 18, 2016. He was born on October 21, 1927, in Waco, Texas. “Doc’s” passion was his love for his profession of dentistry. He greeted all his patients with a youthful exuberance that made a trip to the dentist an outing people looked forward to. His love for dentistry was so infectious, he inspired his granddaughter to follow in his footsteps, starting a family tradition of medicine that will be inherited for generations to come. Doc practiced his profession until the week of his death, a feat we are all proud of. For fifty-one years, Doc was married to the love of his life, Bette. Their bond and admiration for each other was immediately apparent to everyone who met them. Not only did they spend their free time enjoying their lives and love, but they also worked together, laughed together, and were inseparable. His love for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren was immense. He never missed an occasion to come to a family event, or the birth of a new child. The love in his eyes when he held his family was undeniable. As an avid lover of sports and played golf, Doc would never miss a family Texan’s opener party, rooting on his favorite teams while holding his great-grandchildren, and joking with us all. Even when Doc’s illness was diagnosed and progressed, he was never discouraged. He always fought to live and love, so much so, that no one would have ever known anything in him had changed, and it hadn’t. Doc spent his life enveloped by love. Doc is survived by his loving wife Bette Griffin, daughter Barbara Colton and husband Doug, daughter Terri St. Germaine and husband Skip, daughter-in-law Chandra Griffin, his Sister Lanell Penrod and husband Ray, granddaughter Tammy Houston and husband Howard, granddaughter Misty Salazar and husband Bill, grandson Shaun Griffin and wife Kelly, granddaughter Nicole Arizpe and husband VJ, granddaughter Natalie Scott and husband Steven, grandson Colt Colton and wife Bekah, grandson Patrick Griffin, granddaughter Michelle West and husband Brandon, great-grandchildren Chase Peters, Kalynn Peters, McKenzie Salazar, Tyler Salazar, Alexander Clayton, Michael Griffin, Brooke Griffin, Allie Colton, James Scott, Leo Arizpe, Audrey West, Vivian Scott and several nieces and nephews and his beloved dog Tony. He is preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Freda Griffin, son Mike Griffin, infant son Patrick Griffin and grandson Billy Peters. A visitation and funeral service for Doc will be held Sunday, October 23, 2016 at Clayton Funeral Home, 5530 W. Broadway, Pearland, Texas 77581. The visitation will begin at 12:00 pm and the service will follow at 1:00 pm with Pastor Keith Anderson officiating. In lieu of flowers, please make donations the The American Cancer Society.