Ira died Nov. 9, 2011, in his native town of Charlotte, N.C.
He graduated from Woodberry Forest School, where he was captain of the wrestling team. At Princeton he majored in chemical engineering, was on the varsity wrestling team, joined Cap and Gown, and roomed with Tom Finch (also from Woodberry Forest). After three years in the Navy, including service in China, Ira joined the family textile business. He helped it grow into an international company and became its chairman.
In 1947, Ira married Mary Jeter, who died in 1980. He became very active as a member of Charlotte’s Rotary, Myers Park Presbyterian Church, and the Charlotte Country Club. His passion was Friendship Trays, a nonprofit organization that provided daily meals for needy people. He regularly delivered the trays. He loved hiking, devoured books, and was passionate about biking regularly before dawn. He once toured France on a bike.
A generous, humble person, Ira is survived by two sons, I. Lee Griffin III and his wife, Marsha, and David and his wife, Marlene; his grandchildren, Hadley, Mary, and Day; and his longtime companion, Christine Wellons.