Griff Elder Middleton, Jr., of Mart, passed away Saturday, January 14, 2017 at the age of 92. Visitation will be Thursday, January 19 from 12 to 1 pm at OakCrest Funeral Home with services, to include military honors, beginning promptly at 1 p.m. Interment at Oakwood Cemetery.

G.E. was born September 25, 1924 in Navarro County to Griff Elder Middleton, Sr. and Lena Mae French Middleton. A child of the Great Depression, G.E. was a man of means. He worked as a farmer, tractor mechanic and service station manager before he started GEM Mowing and Shredding Service, which he operated for close to 30 years. G.E. was a longtime resident of Mart, serving as the Mayor and also a Councilman. He enjoyed square dancing and volunteering his time and energies at multiple nursing homes in the Groesbeck and Mart regions. G.E. proudly served his country in the United States Army during WWII.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Frances “FiFi” Leggott; parents; sister, Nita Joyce Muse Estep; step-son, Derrell Wayne Elkins; and most recently, his son-in-law, Donald Williams.

G.E. is survived by his daughter, Marjorie Williams of Axtell; son, Gary Middleton and wife, Brenda of Ft. Worth; daughter-in-law, Mary Elkins of Hewitt; 6 grandchildren; and numerous great grandchildren, as well as 1 great great grandchild.