Oscar O'Neal O'Neal Griffin

Background

Griffin, Oscar O'Neal was born on April 28, 1933 in Daisetta, Texas, United States. Son of Oscar O'Neal and Myrtle Ellen (Edgar) Griffin.

Education

In 1982, he completed Harvard Business School's executive education program for Owner/President Management (OPM).

Career

Griffin was the editor of the Pecos Independent and Enterprise. During his time here, he was a reporter and editor. Prior to that time, he served in the Army in the 1950s.

After graduating from the University of Texas, he worked at a number of small newspapers before his stint at the Pecos, Texas Independent and Enterprise. In 1962, he began working for the Houston Chronicle, where he was responsible for covering the Kennedy and Johnson administrations. Griffin was Assistant Director of Public Affairs for the U.S. Department of Transportation in Washington, D.C. (1969-1974) After coming back to Texas, he founded Griffin Well Service, an oil company in El Campo.

Griffin was married to the former Patricia Lamb for 56 years. They also had seven grandchildren. Griffin died in New Waverly, Texas on November 23, 2011 at the age of 78, of cancer.

Achievements

• Griffin won the 1963 Pulitzer Prize for Local Reporting (No Edition Time), as editor at the Independent and Enterprise, for directing its investigation of the fraud scandal involving Billie Sol Estes in 1962.

Membership

Served with Army of the United States, 1953-1955. Member Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (life), University Texas Alumni Association (life), Harvard Bus School Club of Houston, Society Professional Journalists (Distinguished Svc. in Journalism award Fort Worth chapter 1962, Courage in Journalism award Des Moines chapter 1963, award for general reporting national organization 1963).

Connections

Married Patricia Lamb, July 28, 1955. Children: Gwendolyn Ann, Amanda Karen, Gregory O'Neal, Marguerite Ellen.

Father:

Oscar O'Neal Griffin

Mother:

Myrtle Ellen (Edgar) Griffin

Spouse:

Patricia Lamb

child:

Gregory O'Neal Griffin

child:

Amanda Karen Griffin

child:

Gwendolyn Ann Griffin

child:

Marguerite Ellen Griffin