Perry C. McGriff Obituary (2017) - Gainesville, Florida

Perry C. McGriff, Jr., 79, passed away Thursday, February 2, 2017. Visitation will take place Monday, February 6, 2017 from 5 p.m. -7 p.m. at Milam Funeral Home. His funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, February 7, 2017, at Westside Baptist Church 10000 West Newberry Road Gainesville, FL 32606 Born June 29, 1937 in Arcadia, Florida Perry was the son of Perry C. and Esther McGriff. Mr. McGriff is survived by his wife of 57 years, Noel Mills McGriff; his children Dean and Jana Grayson of Cumming, GA, Mark and Julie McGriff of Gainesville, Keith and Tara McGriff of Gainesville, Kevin and Marcia McGriff of Gainesville, and Matthew and Elizabeth McGriff of Bonita Springs, FL; grandchildren Taylor Grayson, Kendall Grayson, Colson Grayson, Delaney Grayson, Ryan McGriff, Nicholas McGriff, Kyle McGriff, Taylor McGriff, Riley McGriff, Logan McGriff, Blake McGriff, Luke McGriff, Natalie McGriff, Perry (Trey) McGriff, and Lydia McGriff and many additional relatives. Perry graduated from Gainesville High School in 1955 and the University of Florida 1960. While at the University of Florida, Perry lettered in football and was honored as an All-American baseball player. He participated in the Pan American Games in Chicago, Illinois in 1959. He played professional baseball in the Kansas City Athletics organization (1961-1962) and was also drafted by the NFL's Baltimore Colts and San Diego Chargers. In 1962, Perry began his career as a State Farm Insurance Agent, a career that spanned 48 years. His professional achievements included being recognized as one of the top 5% agents nationally and a leader among agents. Perry's commitment to our community included active involvement in Alachua County Citizen's Recreation Advisory Board, Charter Member (1964-1971), Boys Club Board of Directors (1974-1979), Boys Club Youth Football Sponsor (1979-present), Children's Home Society , District Member (1967-1973) and State Member (1968-1973), Civitan Region Blood Center Board of Director (1989-present), CrimeTrac Board of Directors (1981-1988), 8th Judicial Circuit Fee Arbitration Committee (1996-1998), Fellowship of Christian Athletes Chairman and Founder of the Board of Directors (1967-1970), Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator (1995-present), FRPCJUA Board of Governors (1995-1996), Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors (1966-1970), Gainesville/Alachua County Citizens Safety Council Board of Directors (1966-1970), Gainesville Youth Baseball Sponsor and Coach (1978-1985), Gainesville High School QB Club (1964, 1984-1985, 1994-1996), Gainesville Association of Life Underwriters (1990, 1995-1997), Gainesville Cycling Club (1995-present), Gainesville Jaycees Director (1963-1968), Gainesville Sports Organizing Committee Co-Founder and Board of Directors (1988-present), Gator Touchdown Club (1990, 1999, present)Great American Bank Board of Directors (1977-1983), Heritage Club Board of Directors (1991-1995), House of Hope (1995-1997), Kiwanis (1964-1992), Local Government Study Committee (1971-1972), March of Dimes Campaign Chair (1963-1966), March of Dimes Walk America Co-Chair with Noel McGriff (2002), Millennium Bank Board of Directors (1998-present), O'Connell Center Advisory Committee (1993-present), Phi Delta Theta Chapter House (1964-1967), Phi Delta Theta Florida Alpha Educational Foundation (1987-present), Police Service Technicians Board of Directors (1987-1996), Sigma Delta Phi (1963), SouthTrust Bank Alachua County Advisory Board (1997-1998), University of Florida Alumni, Boosters, Athletic and Advisory Councils (1968-1999), US Olympian Club (1959-present), to name a few. Perry's political service included serving on the Gainesville City Commission (1968-1971) after being drafted to run by a group of community leaders. He was the youngest Mayor (1970-1971) in the history of Gainesville. He went on to serve as an Alachua County Commissioner (1974-1980) and later in the Florida House of Representatives (2000-2002). Perry received many honors from a wide range of organizations, including: American Association of Blood Banks, Larry Frederick National Award (2000), American Association of Blood Banks, Individuals National Award (2001), American Heart Association of Alachua County Public Official Award (2001), Exchange Club of Gainesville Book of Golden Deeds (1993), Five Points of Life 2800 Mile Ride (1997), Florida Blue Key (1959-present), Florida Jaycees Governmental Affairs Winner (1963), Florida Jaycees, Five Outstanding Men of Florida (1971), Gainesville Underwriters Agent of Year (1994), Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Leadership Award (1990), Outstanding Amateur Baseball Player in Florida (1963), Outstanding Community Leaders of America (1967 & 1970), Outstanding Personalities of the South (1967,1970 & 1972), Outstanding Young Men of America (1967 & 1968), Phi Delta Theta National Award Phi of the Year (1975), Olympic Torch Relay (1996) and University of Florida: Outstanding Baseball Player in the 1960-1969 Decade, Gator Hall of Fame (1969), Outstanding Senior Athlete 1960 Alumni Association, Outstanding Graduate of Health and Human Performance (1997). Perry donated more than 60 gallons of blood to LifeSouth Community Blood Centers. In 2011 he was presented the first-ever Ethics in Business by the Rotary Club of Gainesville and in 2013 received the Club's prestigious Service Above Self Award for his lifetime of service to others. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to the organization of your choice in honor of Perry C. McGriff, Jr.