HJ177: Celebrating the life of Jon Kevin Griffin.
WHEREAS, Jon Kevin Griffin of Saltville, a generational athlete who excelled in multiple sports at Northwood High School and Concord University, died on January 8, 2022; and
WHEREAS, born to a military family, Jon Griffin grew up on United States Air Force bases in several states and in other countries around the world; he was a talented soccer player in his youth and impressed coaches and teammates alike for his unrivaled touch on the ball and natural scoring ability; and
WHEREAS, after settling in the Commonwealth in 1990, Jon Griffin continued to hone his abilities as a multisport athlete at Northwood High School in Saltville; and
WHEREAS, as a member of the basketball team, Jon Griffin was well known for his ability to control the flow of a game and score almost at will; he recorded 1,264 career points, including 51 points in a single game, and 385 assists; and
WHEREAS, Jon Griffin excelled in football, scoring five touchdowns as the quarterback in a game that helped the Northwood High School Panthers break a 16-game losing streak; and
WHEREAS, the following season, Jon Griffin played primarily at wingback and kicked extra points and field goals; he led the Hogoheegee District in scoring with 105 points and was named the Southwest Virginia Offensive Back of the Year by the Bristol Herald Courier; and
WHEREAS, Jon Griffin’s athletic prowess and versatility were on full display on the baseball team, where he was the leadoff batter and played pitcher, shortstop, third baseman, and outfielder; and
WHEREAS, Jon Griffin earned all-state selections in all three sports; he was a paragon of sportsmanship, helping his teammates achieve greater heights and developing strong relationships based on mutual respect with his opponents; and
WHEREAS, Jon Griffin earned a basketball scholarship to Concord University in West Virginia and scored 1,458 points over the course of four seasons on the university’s basketball team; and
WHEREAS, Jon Griffin subsequently served as an assistant basketball coach at Columbus State University, from which he earned a master’s degree, then pursued a career in special education; and
WHEREAS, Jon Griffin was a trusted mentor and a passionate advocate for his students, who always put the needs of others before his own; and
WHEREAS, Jon Griffin will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Stacy; his daughter, Aubrey; his stepchildren, A.J. and Aiyira; his parents, Jay and Marti; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Jon Kevin Griffin, an outstanding athlete and highly admired member of the Saltville community; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Jon Kevin Griffin as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 177
WHEREAS, Jon Kevin Griffin of Saltville, a generational athlete who excelled in multiple sports at Northwood High School and Concord University, died on January 8, 2022; and
WHEREAS, born to a military family, Jon Griffin grew up on United States Air Force bases in several states and in other countries around the world; he was a talented soccer player in his youth and impressed coaches and teammates alike for his unrivaled touch on the ball and natural scoring ability; and
WHEREAS, after settling in the Commonwealth in 1990, Jon Griffin continued to hone his abilities as a multisport athlete at Northwood High School in Saltville; and
WHEREAS, as a member of the basketball team, Jon Griffin was well known for his ability to control the flow of a game and score almost at will; he recorded 1,264 career points, including 51 points in a single game, and 385 assists; and
WHEREAS, Jon Griffin also excelled in football, scoring five touchdowns as the quarterback in a game that helped the Northwood High School Panthers break a 16-game losing streak; and
WHEREAS, the following season, Jon Griffin played primarily at wingback but also kicked extra points and field goals; he led the Hogoheegee District in scoring with 105 points and was named the Southwest Virginia Offensive Back of the Year by the Bristol Herald Courier; and
WHEREAS, Jon Griffin’s athletic prowess and versatility were on full display on the baseball team, where he was the leadoff batter and played pitcher, shortstop, third baseman, and outfielder; and
WHEREAS, Jon Griffin earned all-state selections in all three sports, and he was a paragon of sportsmanship, helping his teammates achieve greater heights and developing strong relationships based on mutual respect with his opponents; and
WHEREAS, Jon Griffin earned a basketball scholarship to Concord University in West Virginia and scored 1,458 points over the course of four seasons on the university’s basketball team; and
WHEREAS, Jon Griffin subsequently served as an assistant basketball coach at Columbus State University, from which he earned a master’s degree, then pursued a career in special education; and
WHEREAS, Jon Griffin was a trusted mentor and a passionate advocate for his students, who always put the needs of others before his own; and
WHEREAS, Jon Griffin will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Stacy; his daughter, Aubrey; his stepchildren, A.J. and Aiyira; his parents, Jay and Marti; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Jon Kevin Griffin, an outstanding athlete and highly admired member of the Saltville community; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Jon Kevin Griffin as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.