James “Jim” Edward Griffin, 71, passed away on March 24, 2026, at Memorial Medical Center.

Jim was born on December 7, 1954, in Savannah, Georgia, to John D. Griffin Sr. and LaVerne C. Griffin. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, John D. “Donnie” Griffin Jr.

Jim grew up in Thunderbolt, Georgia, and attended Sol C. Johnson High School, where he was a gifted and accomplished athlete. He excelled in football, basketball, baseball, and track, achievements that ultimately earned him induction into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Following graduation, Jim continued his athletic career at Furman University, joining his brother Donnie on a football scholarship. His parents were devoted supporters and proudly traveled to every game.

After college, Jim returned home to join the family shrimping business, Cracker Seafood. The company operated out of Key West, Thunderbolt, and later Tampa, and at its height included fourteen shrimp boats and a packing house. The Griffin family’s deep roots in the industry are memorialized on the Thunderbolt Fishermen’s Memorial brick wall. While living in Key West, Jim met and married Janet Moore and together they began a family, later moving to Tampa with their girls. Following the passing of his parents, the family sold the business, and Jim went on to work as a boat captain at The Florida Aquarium.

In 2011, Jim reconnected with Debbie, whom he had dated for three years as a teenager. Jim returned to Savannah permanently in 2013, and he and Debbie built a happy and fulfilling life together.

Jim is survived by his daughters, Laura Kate Griffin (Dustin Tollett) of Tampa, Florida, and Chelsea Radkte (Jeff Radkte) of Madison, Wisconsin; his beloved granddaughter, Madelyn Mohip of Tampa; his brother, Larry Griffin of Tampa; his partner, Debbie C. Glaize; her children and grandchildren, who loved him dearly; as well as two nieces and a nephew.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Gamble Funeral Service, 410 Stephenson Ave., Savannah. A private graveside service for the family will be held at a later date.