April 14, 1957 – November 5, 2025Jackie Earl Griffin, affectionately known as “Scoop,” was born on April 14, 1957, in Middletown,Ohio, and was called to his eternal home on November 5, 2025, after a courageous journey with Glioblastoma Multiforme brain cancer, which began in April 2024. He was the beloved son of Frankie (Marcum) Griffin and stepson of Bob Neal.
Scoop’s life was marked by love, compassion, family, friendship, and unwavering faith in God. His passing leaves a deep void in the hearts of all who loved him, but his legacy of kindness, joy, and laughter continues to shine. We remember him not for how his life ended, but for how fully and generously he lived.
Jack was a Kentucky Colonel, a Free Mason, and a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason—but above all, he was a devoted husband, loving son, brother, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend.
He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 33 years, Jane (Thomas) Griffin; his daughter Teresa Thompson (with his first wife Carma Lainhart); son-in-law Dwight Thompson; beloved grandchildren Logan and Isaac Thompson; his brother Ronnie Hurst (and Opal, known to Scoop as his “second mommie”); sister Tonnie (Neal) Reimer; and adoptive father Roger Arnold. Scoop also leaves behind a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, and countless friends who adored him dearly.
Jack attended school in Middletown, Ohio, before moving to McKee, Kentucky, where he completed high school and earned his nickname, “Scoop.” After graduating from Jackson County High School in 1975, he returned to Middletown and dedicated 40 years to Heidelberg Distributing, working as a Budweiser driver and Warehouse Operations Manager, retiring in October 2015.
In his youth and young adulthood, Scoop loved riding motorcycles and rail buggies—there wasn’t a hill he couldn’t conquer or lead his friends up and around. He served as president of the RailBuggies Club for many years before passing the torch to someone else.
Scoop loved boating on Caesar Creek Lake and the Ohio River, owning a Baja speedboat, several pontoons, and a camper. He enjoyed cruising the neighborhood in his golf cart, giving rides to family and friends, and sharing laughter along the way.
He lived life to the fullest—traveling the world and enjoying countless family vacations to Marco Island, Key West, Panama City Beach, Eastport Marina in Tennessee (aboard the Black Pearl Houseboat), and NASCAR races in Bristol, Talladega, Kentucky, Virginia, and Florida. He loved hosting parties, cookouts, swimming, water volleyball, playing cards and board games, and simply relaxing and visiting with friends. One of his greatest joys was pulling family and friends on tubes behind his boats on sunny summer days.
Scoop loved NASCAR, NFL football (Go Bengals!), NCAA sports, NBA basketball, and trips to Las Vegas. No matter where he went, it seemed someone was always calling out, “Scoop! What’re you doing here?”—a true testament to how many lives he touched and how many hearts he brightened with his infectious smile and booming laughter.
In 2012, Scoop fell in love with a property overlooking the Ohio River and knew instantly it was where he wanted to spend his retirement years. He and Jane purchased it that summer, spending weekends and vacations there until settling in full time after retirement. Among friends and neighbors, Scoop was known as “Mayor of the Mountain (MOM)” and “King of the Hill.” Whenever something needed fixing, he was the one to call. He was instrumental in getting the township road repaired through FEMA when it became unsafe, tirelessly overseeing the project to ensure it was done right.
Jack was also known for his signature dish, “Jack’s Hobo Meal,” inspired by his Uncle Paul, a minister who cooked for large family gatherings and church events in a 55-gallon metal trash can.Scoop proudly continued the tradition on a smaller scale, cooking for family and friends who always looked forward to his famous Hobo Meal.
Although Scoop’s physical presence is no longer with us, his spirit continues to inspire and uplift. Scoop, your light will forever shine in our hearts—never to be forgotten. May his memory be a blessing to all who knew and loved him. A cremation has taken place, and a Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date and location to be determined. Donations may be made in Scoop’s memory to Glioblastoma Brain Cancer Research, Hospice of Hope, or Warfork Holiness Church.
