Guy Underwood Griffeth

DALLAS — “Fought the good fight, finished the race and remained faithful” (2 Timothy 4:7) After a 10 year courageous battle with cancer and then Alzheimer’s, he came face to face with his Lord and Maker on Saturday, February 15, 2025. Guy was born March 7, 1948 to Mary Katherine “Punkin” Underwood and John Robert “Bob” Griffeth in Dallas Texas.

After finishing his education at Highland Park High School, where he led the Scots’ basketball team as Co-Captain, Guy continued his studies at Swanee: The University of the South, pledging Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. After two years, he transferred to the University of Texas, graduating with a BA in political science. He later earned an MBA at Southern Methodist University.

Guy and Louise Grelling Spence met on a blind date at the UT/SMU football game on October 31, 1970. Later that night while dancing at a Kappa Sig party, Louise knew she would never meet anyone who loved dancing as much as she did, and no one could dance better than Guy. It was love at first “step”! He also did the funniest impersonations and, fortunately, turned out to be a really wonderful person too! They married September 30, 1972 and continued dancing and laughing for the next 52 plus years.

They were blessed with two sons, Spence Underwood Griffeth and Charles Teal Griffeth. Guy was a devoted family man and shared his passion for the outdoors with his sons, teaching them to hunt and fish at Pokey Camp, all the while respecting God’s Creation. He committed to coaching both boys’ YMCA teams in football, basketball and soccer, taught them how to sail at Lake Athens and drove the boat for hours as they water skied or had “Slinger” fun with friends.

Professionally, Guy was an entrepreneur at heart. He co-founded Garden Fresh Produce in the late 1970’s with his good friend Jeff Eleazer. They were featured in a “D” magazine article “Success Stories: Its 90 Percent Sweat And 10 Percent Luck” with eight other Dallas entrepreneurs. Later Guy was an executive with a successful venture capital group, Garvon, Inc. before joining Brown and Brown Securities, Inc. till his illness led to his retirement.

Along with Louise, Guy was a “cradle” Episcopalian. They have been spiritually nurtured through the wonderful clergy and parishioners at Saint Michael and All Angels Church. Guyfounded the Saint Michael Farmers Market which has been recognized as the best local market in Dallas. He chaired the former “Pathways to Ministry” Committee that encouraged young people to go into Christian ministry and served on the Welcome Committee.

Being a member of The Salesmanship Club of Dallas was a special honor to Guy. He enjoyed working the 4th Hole during the Byron Nelson Classic Golf Tournament and helping to “decorate” its infamous “John”. He was a committed Reading Buddy/Mentor through the J. Erik Jonsson school for many years and loved supporting the boys and girls he got to know. They, in turn, showered him with sweet notes, pictures and handmade ornaments he kept and cherished. He also served on the Scholarship Committee and helped set up the Mentoring program for young people at the Momentous Institute.

Guy is a member of the Order of the Rose in Tyler and for 40 plus years attended every Texas Rose Festival with Louise as they sponsored over 100 young women and men as Duchesses and Escorts.

Louise’s “Honey Bun” will be remembered for his warmth, humor, steadfastness, “MacGyver” abilities, fabulous hair, and especially, his love of family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Sally, brother John “Buzz” and niece Wynne and Louise’s parents, Mary John and Ralph Spence.

He is survived by his loving wife Louise; wonderful sons, Spence and Teal; his sisters and brothers, Judy and Charles Tate and Tancy and Ralph Spence, Jr.; nieces and nephews, Mary John Frank, Louise and Drew Pennebaker, Ralph III, Nash, and Benjamin Spence, and Ann Grelling Foster; Great nephews, Robert, John, Will and Shepard Pennebaker and a multitude of precious cousins and dear friends.

Celebration of Life will be held at Saint Michael and All Angels on Monday, February 24th at 1pm.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Scholarship Fund of The Salesmanship Club of Dallas (106 East 10th Street Suite 200, Dallas, 75203) or Saint Michael and All Angels Church (8011 Douglas, Dallas, 75225) or the charity of your choice.