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'''Bobbie Ray Griffin,''' known as '''Rip Griffin''' (1929-2017),''' was a businessman and philanthropist in Lubbock, [[Texas]]. The Rip Griffin Center at Lubbock Christian University is named in his honor.

'''Bobbie Ray Griffin,''' known as '''Rip Griffin''' (1929-2017), was a businessman and philanthropist in Lubbock, [[Texas]]. The Rip Griffin Center at Lubbock Christian University is named in his honor.

Griffin was born into poverty in rural Matador east of Lubbock in Motley County in West Texas. As a boy he delivered newspapers. After working as a truck driver, he built a truck stop in Lubbock which expanded to multiple outlets across the American West. Griffin was also invested in petroleum, fuel wholesaling, and truck dealerships.<ref name=obit>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/lubbockonline/obituary.aspx?n=bobbie-ray-griffin-rip&pid=185787109|title=Bobbie Griffifn obituary|publisher=''[[Lubbock Avalanche-Journal]]''|date=June 13, 2017|accessdate=June 14, 2017}}</ref>

Griffin was born into poverty in rural Matador east of Lubbock in Motley County in West Texas. As a boy he delivered newspapers. After working as a truck driver, he built a truck stop in Lubbock which expanded to multiple outlets across the American West. Griffin was also invested in petroleum, fuel wholesaling, and truck dealerships.<ref name=obit>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/lubbockonline/obituary.aspx?n=bobbie-ray-griffin-rip&pid=185787109|title=Bobbie Griffifn obituary|publisher=''Lubbock Avalanche-Journal''|date=June 13, 2017|accessdate=June 14, 2017}}</ref>

Besides his Rip Griffin Truck Stops, Griffin served on numerous civic and bank boards and donated to academic and athletic programs at [[Texas Tech University]] as well as LCU. A lifelong [[baseball]] enthusiast, Griffin is honored with the naming of the Rip Griffin Baseball Park on the Tech campus. The Geneva Griffin Center at the Children's Home of Lubbock is named for Mrs. Griffin. For four decades, Griffin sponsored the Lubbock Hubber baseball club, a semi-professional team.<ref name=obit/>

Besides his Rip Griffin Truck Stops, Griffin served on numerous civic and bank boards and donated to academic and athletic programs at [[Texas Tech University]] as well as LCU. A lifelong [[baseball]] enthusiast, Griffin is honored with the naming of the Rip Griffin Baseball Park on the Tech campus. The Geneva Griffin Center at the Children's Home of Lubbock is named for Mrs. Griffin. For four decades, Griffin sponsored the Lubbock Hubber baseball club, a semi-professional team.<ref name=obit/>

Rip Griffin Center is the home court of the Lubbock Christian Chaparrals [[basketball]] and [[volleyball]] teams. While LCU was a member, the Sooner Athletic Conference]was held at the arena. The NJCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship is being held their for the third consecutive year in 2018.

Rip Griffin Center is the home court of the Lubbock Christian Chaparrals [[basketball]] and volleyball teams. While LCU was a member, the Sooner Athletic Conference]was held at the arena. The NJCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship is being held their for the third consecutive year in 2018.

In addition to his wife, Griffin is survived by five children, David (wife, Lorna), Mark (wife, Claudia), Julie Pointer (husband, Steve), Jill Patterson (husband, Bill) and Suzanne Knipp (husband, Jeff); thirteen grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, Griffin is survived by five children, David (wife, Lorna), Mark (wife, Claudia), Julie Pointer (husband, Steve), Jill Patterson (husband, Bill) and Suzanne Knipp (husband, Jeff); thirteen grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

[[Category:Texas]]

[[Category:Texas]]

[[Category:Business People]]

[[Category:Business People]]

[[Category:Church of Christ]]

[[Category:Christianity]]