Photos: Dr. Clinton Wolf, Dr. Marvin Griffin, Jacquelyn Barron
As we begin 2014, we do so bringing sad news about the death of two former Hardin-Simmons University trustees, Dr. Clinton Wolf and Dr. Marvin Griffin, “Each of these men played important roles on the HSU Board of Trustees and in Baptist life in Texas,” said HSU president Dr. Lanny Hall.
Additionally, Jackie Barron, a member of the HSU Board of Development, a lifetime member of the Presidents Club, and a member of the John G. Hardin Society, died yesterday.
Jacquelyn (Jackie) Storey Emerson Barron died January 5, 2014, at a Dallas-area hospital. She and her husband, an Abilene pediatrician, were long-time Abilene residents.
Barron was a current member of the HSU Board of Development and a member of the John G. Hardin Society, which plays a significant role in maintaining the long-term fiscal stability of HSU.
Born January 24, 1927, in Dallas, Texas, to Oscar and Jewell Emerson, she was married to the late Stanton (Jacob) Barron, M.D.
She graduated from North Dallas High School, received a bachelor’s degree from Baylor University in 1947, and earned a master’s degree in English from Hardin-Simmons University in 2004.
An avid reader and fan of literature and poetry, Barron donated a large collection of the works of William Faulkner, including several rare first-editions, to Hardin-Simmons University. She and her late husband established multiple scholarships at Texas Baptist universities including Hardin-Simmons, Baylor University, and Howard Payne University.
She is survived by her sister Joanne Emerson Williams of Abilene; her nephews David Williams and Greg Williams (Joan); her niece Julie Corder (Glen); great nieces Virginia Barron Nisbet, Joanne Barron Newton (Rick), Beverly Barron Barnes, and Kathleen Barron Hamilton (Brian); 11 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday, January 7, 2014, at First Baptist Church, Abilene, in the main sanctuary, 1 p.m.
Dr. Clinton E. Wolf, a former member of the Board of Trustees, HSU Board of Development, a lifetime member of the Presidents Club, and the recipient of the John J. Keeter Alumni Service Award, died January 2, 2014, in El Paso, Texas.
Clinton was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Humanities degree by HSU in 1999, while in 2006, Clinton and his wife, Joann, were jointly awarded the John J. Keeter, Jr. Alumni Service Award, the highest alumni honor HSU can bestow.
HSU president, Dr. Lanny Hall, said, “Dr. Clinton Wolf will long be remembered on the Hardin-Simmons University campus for his exceptional Christian leadership. He has been honored by his alma mater with the highest recognitions it bestows. He left indelible footprints on the campus.”
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Joann (Penney) Wolf; four children, Laura L. Nichols (Bob), Sharon M. Lafayette (Carey), Julia A. Ortiz (Juan), and Gene Wolf (Sherri); 13 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; sisters, Mary Ellen Boughner and Ann Eaton; and nieces Susan Foster and Cindy VanPelt.
Clinton was born to Herschel and Grace Wolf on September 18, 1927, in Upper Sandusky, Ohio. He moved to El Paso in 1938. After graduating from Ysleta High School in 1945, Clinton joined the Navy, eventually retiring from the Navy Reserves as a Captain.
Following a year of active duty and the conclusion of World War II, Clinton returned to Texas to attend college at Hardin Simmons University, where he graduated in 1950. Following graduation, Clinton and Joann married and settled in El Paso.
Clinton worked for Standard Oil Company prior to embarking on a 60-year career in building and real estate development, completing his final construction project in 2013.
Throughout his life he was an active member and leader at First Baptist Church – El Paso, and in the Christian community. Clinton’s faith was demonstrated through his service at church and through his donation of time and talents, most evident in the building and remodeling of innumerable Baptist churches, schools, and many other projects in the El Paso/Juarez area and across the southwest United States.
Clinton served as chairman of the El Paso Public Service Board, commander of the U.S. Navy Reserve Center in El Paso, president of the Texas Apartment Association, director of Sierra Medical Center, director of State National Bank – Franklin branch, director of the city Pension Board, director of El Paso Housing Authority, director of Board of Equalization, director of Region XIX Education Service Center Board, El Paso city councilman, and president and member of the Northeast Civitan Club.
The funeral service will be held at First Baptist Church, 805 Montana Ave., El Paso, Texas, at noon on Tuesday, January 7, 2014. Interment will follow at Fort Bliss National Cemetery.
Rev. Dr. Marvin C. Griffin of Austin, Texas, served as a trustee to Hardin-Simmons University from 1991 – 1999. He died January 1, 2014, at the age of 90.
Griffin was born on February 20, 1923, in Wichita, Kansas, to Beatrice Howell and William Marvin Collins. He was raised by his aunt and uncle and was educated at public schools in Dallas, Texas, before graduating from Bishop College. Griffin went on to receive four other degrees including his Master of Divinity degree from Oberlin Graduate School of Theology, an M.R.E. degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctorate of Ministry degree from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
Griffin was the first black president of the Austin school board and served as the iconic pastor for the landmark Ebenezer Baptist Church for 42 years.
Under his leadership, the Ebenezer Baptist Church founded the East Austin Economic Development Corporation, which helped residents with affordable housing and care for elderly residents.
Griffin’s influence extended beyond Austin as Texas Governor John Connally appointed him to the Texas Southern University Board of Regents. Griffin also served as a delegate to the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
Griffin also served as the corresponding secretary of the Missionary Baptist General Convention of Texas and as the director of the Christian Education Enrichment Program at the National Baptist Fellowship of Churches. Griffin also spent time teaching as a director and lecturer for the teacher training department of the National Baptist Sunday School.
During his time at Ebenezer, Griffin successfully guided the church’s economic development board in acquiring a grant to build a new facility for the Ebenezer Child Development Center. The church also housed the first Meals on Wheels program in east Austin, restored the historic Bailetti House for community service projects, and facilitated the construction of the 12-unit Ebenezer Senior Housing Complex. Griffin also expanded Ebenezer’s outreach ministry through radio and television broadcasting, and established the Tape Ministry for members incapable of attending services.
Griffin’s wife, Lois King Griffin, who was also active in the church, died in 2006.
Gaynelle Griffin Jones, one of Griffin’s three daughters was appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1993, as the first black woman to be U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas. Griffin Jones, also the first black woman to serve on the First Court of Appeals in Texas, died this past March.
He is survived by daughters Ria Griffin and Marva Lois Carter.
Services for Griffin were held January 4, 2014, at Ebenezer Baptist Church at 1010 E. 10th St., Austin, Texas.
