of Leslie, AR
February 17, 1944 - December 31, 2014
John Luther Kent Griggs, age 70 of Leslie, Arkansas passed from this life on Wednesday, December 31, 2014 at his home. He was born in Clinton, Arkansas on February 17, 1944 to Luther Griggs and Alva (Watts) Griggs.
He is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Bobby Dean Griggs and Tommy Dan Griggs; and one sister, Almeta Keeling.
He is survived by two sons, Eric Griggs of Clinton and John Griffith of Berryville; two daughters, Elisha Jackson and husband Mike of White House, TN and Rhonda Young of North Little Rock; eight grandchildren and four great grandchildren; two sisters, Peggy Massey of Leslie and Sarah Crow of Clinton; and special friend, Judy Griggs.
Kent worked as a lineman for Petit Jean Electric as a young man, and was elected Searcy County Sheriff in 1983, where he served for fourteen years. He served the community with honor and dignity, and upheld the voter's confidence by operating the office with integrity and fairness. Kent thought highly of all his fellow law enforcement personnel, and remained friends with them long after leaving office.
Kent was a member of the Leslie First Baptist Church where he enjoyed attending with his friends and family. Even in times when his health was failing, he always wanted to make it to Sunday morning services.
He was also a member of Wiley's Cove Masonic Lodge.
Kent loved his family and his family loved him.
Over the years, Kent made many close friends through his love for the rodeo. Those friends provided love and care for Kent in so many ways as his health declined, and the help they have provided both physically and emotionally to Kent and his family has been a tremendous testimony to the honor of the cowboy way.
So many people in the communities of Leslie, Marshall and Clinton have provided assistance to Kent and his family during his illness, and the family extends sincere appreciation to all of them for their support and care.
Kent was a big man, and had a heart to match. He was always quick with a smile or a helping hand to anyone he thought might be in need of either. And he was never afraid to offer a friendly verbal jab, just as so many who knew him enjoyed teasing him as well.
Kent was well loved in this area, because he loved so many himself.
Funeral services for Kent were at 2:00 PM Sunday, January 04, 2015 at Roller-Coffman Funeral Home in Marshall, Arkansas with Billy Don Crow, Chris Reade and Tommy Jolly officiating. Special music performed by Peggy Adams and Joe Lewis. Burial was in Leslie Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Garrett Griffith, Bobby Griggs, Danny Griggs, Michael Kent Jackson, Isaac Keeling, Zack King, Jeff Massey and David Smith.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that you make donations to the Leslie Cemetery in Kent's name.
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55 Condolence(s)
Hunter Mckinney
Saturday, June 8, 2024
I Will Always Carry Your Memory Everywhere I Go. You Will Never Be Forgotten. Love, Your Grandson, Hunter.
Charlie & Laura Grimes
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Griggs Family
We were so sorry to hear about the loss of
Kent.
Kent was a good man & will be missed.
Our prayers are with you all.
May God comfort you all in your loss.
Vance Lee Hubbard
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Kent was indeed a kind and generous man and I loved his quick smile.
Toni Graham-Cowles
Sunday, January 4, 2015
Prayers for the family!
Pat Denman
Sunday, January 4, 2015
My condolences to all of the family as I know he will surely be missed. I met Kent in the summer 0f 87 in dennard when he was looking for a outlaw on the run & he got him! Will sure miss not seeing him on Sat.
Anna Maze
Sunday, January 4, 2015
Praying for your family at this difficult time. RIP Kent. Thanks for your friendship to our families.
susan vesecky
Sunday, January 4, 2015
R.I.P. to a wonderful man
Cheryl Hensley
Sunday, January 4, 2015
I am so sorry for your loss, my prayers of comfort are with you, the family. Cheryl Strong Hensley
Barbara Lane
Sunday, January 4, 2015
My condolences to the family. I remember Kent when he was working for Petit Jean. My mom worked for a few years at the diner below the hill from where they lived. (Wiladeen Lane) she loved him like a son.
We worked really hard helping him get elected as sheriff.
Also ofcourse saw his children and him at the rodeos. He will be missed. He brought dignity and honesty back to the sheriffs office when he served!
Roger Massey
Sunday, January 4, 2015
Sorry to hear of Kent's passing. May God bless Peggy and the family during this time. Kent was always helpful and cared about the people he was elected to serve. Great sense of humor, too.
Vicki Lewis
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Leslie lost a wonderful man. Prayers for the family.
Eddie & Pam Cannada
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Our deepest sympathy to all the family. Considered Kent a good friend.
bill & robinbiggs
Saturday, January 3, 2015
So sorry for your loss are prayers are with all you kent will be missed greatly
Kathryn Pace
Saturday, January 3, 2015
So sorry for your loss. Dave and I thought a lot of Kent. You are in our prayers at this difficult time.
Mike & Victoria Banks
Saturday, January 3, 2015
An amazing man. Always very kind. His smile was always contagious & a chuckle to cause you to chuckle. Always very kind, my daughter has sweet memories of his kindness. Thank you Kent. May God bless, comfort & give peace.
Rudoph & Louise Rains
Saturday, January 3, 2015
We are sorry to hear of your loss. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Joe and Dee(Knight) Tapp
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Praying for your families. Pastors Joe and Dee (Knight) Tapp, Choctaw Christian Center
Mary Ann Murphey
Saturday, January 3, 2015
My sincere condolences to all the family and especially to my dear sweet friend Peggy Massey. Our loss is Heaven's gain. We will miss him very much, however his pain is no more. God bless you all.
James and Jeri
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Our deepest sympathy to your family.
Don and Sally Boyd
Saturday, January 3, 2015
We were so sorry to hear of Kent's death. It is our hope the family will be comforted by knowing
that many others share your sense of loss (in a much smaller way) but we will always remember him and his smile.
Vickie Lucas & Joe Lynch
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Our deepest & heartfelt sympathy to all of you. Kent was a great man & will be truly missed. When he was sheriff, always thought of Buford Pusser on Walking Tall as the kids would say. Good man & well respected.
Libby Sneed
Saturday, January 3, 2015
My thoughts and prayers are with Eric, Lisha,and all his family and friends. He will be missed by all. He was a giant of a man and loved by MANY!! God be with you all in these difficult times, but just remember, he is reunited with all his family and friends that have gone on before him, and he is two-steppin' and square-dancing with the best of them in Heaven!! Love to you all.
Mary Kaye Weaver
Saturday, January 3, 2015
I only worked for Kent the last 9 months before he retired but that gentle giant left a lasting impression. He made sure anyone who acted in a threatening way left with a new understanding and stood by everyone who did their job without fail. He is a big part in the history books of Searcy County. Praying for comfort for his family now and the days ahead.
Lori Meazle
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May God comfort you as only he can.
Bonnie Davis Rauscher
Saturday, January 3, 2015
My prayers are with you during this time. I'm sorry for your loss.
John Suits and Family
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Thoughts and prayers are with you. Kent was a great man.
Brenda Lewis
Friday, January 2, 2015
Kent was a very special friend and neighbor to us for several years, and was always there with a helping hand. Always with a smile and trying to help someone in need. He will be greatly missed by family, friends, and everyone in Leslie. May God comfort all of you during this time.
Sonja Curtis
Friday, January 2, 2015
It is hard to sum up in just a few word's what this man meant to so many.We can only hope to leave such a huge mark on the world as he did.It is said that if we change one thing for the better we have made the world a better place than the way we found it. Kent left the world in a better state than when he found it 100 time's over. he is a great man and will be truly missed!!!! RIP until we all meet again!
Barbara Smith
Friday, January 2, 2015
I am so sorry for your loss during this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers will be with you. Kent was a good man. He will be missed by all who knew him.
lisa nelson
Friday, January 2, 2015
So sorry to hear this just always loved seeing and talking with him. Prayers for your family
Love Carl and Lisa Nelson
Shawna Bramlett-Waller
Friday, January 2, 2015
Where do I began... I looked up to you my whole life... I love you and know your in a better place with my momma.... You were an amazing man and will be missed!!!!
Shawna and Sloan
Steve Trawick
Friday, January 2, 2015
So sorry to hear of these sad tidings. I was proud to call Kent my friend and brother (Masonic). He will be sadly missed. Love and respect goes out to his sorrowing family!
johnny riddle
Friday, January 2, 2015
you will be missed
Willie & Mary Archer
Friday, January 2, 2015
Our condolences to all of the family . Kent was a friend of many years , felt like family. He will be missed by many.
David & Stephanie Ward
Friday, January 2, 2015
Kent was a good man. Very sorry for your loss. Our haughty and prayers are with his family at this time.
Toby Long & Shawna Bramlett Waller
Friday, January 2, 2015
so sorry for your loss, Kent was one of the fines men I have ever known, And a great manand good friend of mind!!! I will miss him, but he in a better place than we are!!!!
Tracy Loggins
Friday, January 2, 2015
Loved this larger than life man. What a gentle soul with an infectious smile. Prayers for all
Ed and Joyce Tudor
Friday, January 2, 2015
We are so sorry for your loss. Kent was a special person to so many. God bless you all.
Gary and Rose Craig
Friday, January 2, 2015
Kent has been our neighbor since we moved here in 2005. He always had a smile and honk when in passing. Eggs and produce seemed to find it's way to our doorstep. He especially like bringing zucchini because he knew Rose would make him Diabetic Bread. Kent, we will miss you. Prayers go out to the remaining family and friends.
cindy Lankford
Friday, January 2, 2015
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Kent will be missed my Many.Love yall
debbie whillock
Friday, January 2, 2015
Kent Griggs was known by everyone north of Clinton. He had a sweet smile and such a good person. He will be missed by many but leaves many great stories behind for us to enjoy. He was and is a legend. Rest in peace, my friend.
Kandi McKinney
Friday, January 2, 2015
Our thoughts are with Kent's family during this difficult time. So sorry for your loss.
Clinton Police Department
Friday, January 2, 2015
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. RIP Sheriff Kent Griggs
Johnny & Joyce Reece
Friday, January 2, 2015
So sorry to hear of Kent's passing. He was great to work with but most of all he was a great friend.
Arlene G.Brightbill
Thursday, January 1, 2015
RIP Sheriff ! ! Kent had a generous heart. He was a big man, but could be a gentle kind man. His Sister Peggy loved her "little Brother." She always felt the need to look after him. You could see the love in her eyes when she spoke of him. Years ago, I observed him chasing down a guy that was causing trouble downtown Leslie. He physically ran after the guy, handled it well and had the guy hauled off to jail. After the mission was complete, he said - "I am getting to old for this stuff." He served many years after that. When he went after a trouble maker, he always got his Man. God Rest His Soul and bring comfort to his Family. Special condolence to his Big Sister Peggy.
Charla Davis Williams
Thursday, January 1, 2015
My heart goes out to the family....it's never easy to lose a loved one...our comfort comes from knowing that they are not lost, but have gone home. May God keep you and comfort you...lean unto Him and he is faithful to meet your needs.
Donna Cook
Thursday, January 1, 2015
He always had a soft smile and kind words, always a helping hand in times of need. Kent was a blessing to those whose lives he touched. May God bless him and grant peace and comfort to his family.
Sandra Girod
Thursday, January 1, 2015
May God be with you at this time.
judi morgan
Thursday, January 1, 2015
IFirst of all sorry for loss. I remember the good times that Judy, and I shared at the dairy diner.Kent would always chuckled at her and I wirh our weighing french fries. May GodBless the family in this tine of need.
Larry & Mary Loggins
Thursday, January 1, 2015
We sure though a lot of Kent and his family,We are so sorry to hear of his passing. Prayers are with his family and may God bless and comfort them as only he can. We pray for Sarah and Peg and all their families also. The Lord bless you'll
Jerel and Kathleen Brown
Thursday, January 1, 2015
So sorry to hear about Kent. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Kenneth and Janet Rainbolt
Thursday, January 1, 2015
To the family of Kent Griggs: We were saddened to hear of Kent's passing. May God give you comfort during this difficult time.
Doug henderson
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this most difficult time.
Doug and Barbara
Henderson
Charles and Sue Davis
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Sorry for your loss
Harold Young
Thursday, January 1, 2015
To the family
I have known and loved this man for 35 plus years and had the pleasure of working for him for almost 13 years. I have never had a better boss and friend. May God rest his soul and watch over and comfort the family. Harold and Susie Young