Judy (Griffin) Mckown

Judy Ann Griffin McKown, 72, passed away on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 in Norman, OK. Her celebration of life will be held on Saturday, August 20, 2016 at 2:00 pm at Alameda Church of Christ in Norman, OK. Visitation will be held on Friday, August 19, 2016 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at Alameda Church of Christ. Tribute Memorial Care is in charge of the arrangements.

Judy was born on April 15, 1944 in Wewoka, OK to Dick Griffin and Alice Jewell (Gist) Griffin. She grew up on the family farm near Konawa, OK and graduated from Vamoosa High School in 1962. She attended Oklahoma State University where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Family Relations & Child Development in 1966.

In November of 1962, Judy met Gene McKown of Dickson, OK on a train to Chicago, Illinois for National 4-H Club Congress. They dated for two years and were married on November 21, 1964 at the Konawa Church of Christ. On November 21, 2014, they celebrated 50 years of marriage. They are the parents of two sons, Vernon and Richard.

After graduating from OSU they moved to Norman and began a career in real estate. Judy worked alongside her husband at Red Carpet Realty and Better Homes & Gardens.

For ten years Judy was a local 4-H club leader, Cleveland County 4-H Teen Leaders volunteer, and she also served as President of the Oklahoma 4-H Volunteer Leaders Association. She was named a Cleveland County Honorary 4-H Member and Cleveland County Friend of 4-H. In 2000 Gene and Judy received the Oklahoma 4-H Alumni Recognition Award

After Vernon and Richard graduated from high school Judy became the Events Coordinator at the University of Oklahoma Student Union, where she was known as “The Wedding Lady” for nine years.

Judy was a member of Alameda Church of Christ where she provided lunch for OU college students, organized creative food snacks for Vacation Bible School, and served as a mentor to women in Uganda. She enjoyed spending time with her church Bunco group and Judy and Gene also host Life Group weekly at their home. She was also a longtime member of Assistance League of Norman and served as the chairman of the Mayfair Hospitality committee. Judy enjoyed spending time with her Red Hat friends, otherwise known as the LaTeaDahs.

Judy was known as a very selfless, caring individual who loved giving her time, talents, and resources to others. Each year Judy wrote more than 500 hand-written Christmas, anniversary, and birthday cards to family and friends.

Judy was a Reach to Recovery volunteer and in 2011 she and two other women founded the American Cancer Society Survivor Resource Center at Norman Regional Hospital. It was Judy’s honor to make cancer patients feel beautiful again. Whether it was a wig, prosthesis, or just encouragement she made sure hundreds of women felt special and she made sure no one left the resource center empty-handed. We will never truly know the number of lives that were touched by Judy.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Dick and Jewell Griffin; sister Dixie Griffin Muegge; brother Dr. R.H. Griffin II; father-in-law Ray McKown; mother-in-law Dorothy McKown; brother-in-law Jim Word; and nephew, Luke Word.

She is survived by her husband, Gene of the home; son Vernon McKown and wife Ronda of Norman; son Richard and wife Liz of Norman; brother Dr. Dee Griffin and wife Joan of Canyon, TX; sister-in-law June Griffin of Crowley, TX; brother-in-law Don Muegge and wife Bonnie of Lamont; sister-in-law Beth McKown of Ardmore; sister-in-law Sherry Boatman and husband Shannon of Ardmore; brother-in-law Jim McKown and wife Vicky of Avery, TX.

Judy is also survived by her four grandchildren: Macy Noelle, Olivia Marie, Madeline Alexandria, and Chapman Griffin, all of Norman. She is survived by 18 nieces and nephews: Sheryl Griffin Greenwood, Daryl Griffin, Kent Griffin, Lana Griffin Bergmann, Dana Griffin Quintero, Dr. Jennifer Griffin Miller, Dr. Emily Griffin Overocker, Dr. Steve Griffin, Dea Muegge Rash, Chad Muegge, Clay Muegge, Jimmy Tynes, Jacob Tynes, Ali Taylor, Lori Harrison, Leah Aldridge, Dr. Alan McKown, and Michael McKown. Judy is also survived by 38 great-nieces and great-nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation.