Sombronah George Griffin was born on April 20, 1938, to Dale and Faustina Griffin in Durant, Okla. Under the diligent care of his wife, Patricia, Sombronah passed peacefully from this earth on October 5, 2023, in McKinney, Texas at the age of 85.
His lifelong love of music began at a very young age. He was given an accordion at age 6 and started playing piano very young. In addition to earning his masters in music, Sombronah enlisted in the National Guard and was called up to active duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
He married Marjorie Willis on March 14, 1958. They were blessed with two children, David Earl in 1966, and Sharon Rene in 1969. He went on to start his decades-long music career. In 1962 he started teaching music and in 1968, he was the first band director for O.D. Wyatt High School in Ft. Worth. He taught private music lessons and played the oboe for the Ft. Worth Symphony.
In 1974, Sombronah moved to Denison, TX and in 1976 he married Patricia Stogsdill. There he continued his career as band director for many schools in the area and also played for the Sherman Symphony. He later left the education field to pursue other interests. He got his real estate license and began purchasing homes to remodel and resell. He had many varied interests in his life. He loved flying and had his private pilot’s license.
He also loved blackjack. Although he didn’t win his fortune playing blackjack during his many recreational trips to Las Vegas, he had fun working as a dealer, along with his wife Pat, for casino parties in the DFW area.
Even into his 80’s, Sombronah never slowed down. He worked as a security guard for his retirement community. Although he pursued various business interests late in his life, he never stopped playing the piano. Music was always the biggest part of his life. He loved classical and jazz music. He performed in the DFW area for several years with the Winston Barey Orchestra. He loved ballroom dancing. He danced well into his later years and continued to earn money playing piano for his community residents right up to the pandemic. Whether it was family gatherings, birthdays, or weddings, It seemed wherever there was a piano, he would sit and play. He will forever be remembered for his talent and beautiful music.
Sombronah is preceded in death by his parents, Dale and Faustina Griffin.
He leaves to cherish his memories his wife, Patricia Griffin; sister, Jeannie Purselley of Joshua, Texas; brother, Earl and wife Debbie Griffin of Ft. Worth, Texas; son, David and Wife Cori Griffin of Cleburne, Texas; daughter, Sharon Griffin of Austin, Texas; and four grandchildren, Michelle and husband Austin Bishop, Melissa Griffin, Jessi Byrd, and Matthew Griffin; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m. on November 9, 2023, at Brown’s Funeral Service Chapel in Durant, Okla.