Mr. José Griñán's Obituary
JOSÉ GRIÑÁN was a beloved and dedicated Husband, Father, Grandfather and Brother to those he leaves behind.
José’s charisma, warmth and dedication resonated deeply with his viewers, but even more so with his wife, family and friends who more personally witnessed the good times and challenging times of his life. No matter what his personal challenges, he always maintained professional composure for his viewers as his signature style made him a household name. His life as a journalist spanned thousands of stories, from hard-hitting breaking news to heartwarming features. At times, he offered himself up for comic enactments on set, engaging with wild animals and wearing silly hats for holidays stories, which brought good cheer to his audience.
Recently, José leaves in his wake the entire news team at KRIV Fox 26 where he left an indelible mark on the city of Houston and its broadcasting landscape.
Before Houston came to know and love José’s inviting on-air presence, he had already built a remarkable career. José’s journey began as he served in the military as a cinematographer, filming documentaries for the U.S. Army, which ignited his passion for storytelling. His first anchor role came in El Paso, Texas, in 1975, and from there, his career skyrocketed. From Tampa, Miami, New York and back to Texas at Fox 4 in Dallas. José’s pursuit of truth and storytelling took him across the nation.
José was one of the first reporters on the scene during the Branch Davidian siege in Waco in the early ‘90s and was no stranger to covering monumental stories. He handled everything from natural disasters to high-stakes news events, always with professionalism and grace. José’s versatility on and off the desk earned him a special place in the hearts of Houstonians, as he became the first male anchor on Fox 26’s Morning Show in 1993.
Beyond his professional accolades, José was known for his generous spirit. He was committed to his community, giving his time to organizations like the National Kidney Foundation, Special Olympics and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. José’s Cuban roots were a source of great pride, and he was a cherished member of both the National Association of Black Journalists and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. José’ was also a board member of the Dive Pirates Foundation, Houston Read Commission and Keep Houston Beautiful. His kindness and dedication extended far beyond the newsroom, making an impact on countless lives inside and outside of the Houston area.
Altogether, José’s on-camera career extended for more than 49 years. His legacy is not only defined by his impressive résumé, but by the countless anchors, reporters and viewers whose lives he touched. He shared the news desk with more that 30 anchors and dozens of reporters: serving as a mentor, friend and inspiration to many in the industry.
Born in July of 1952, in Tampa, Florida, José is preceded in death by his mother and father, Sylvia Cecilia Grillo-Griñán and José Luis Griñán. José is survived by his wife of 20 years, Kathyrn Griffin Townsend-Griñán, his sisters: Dolores Caridad Griñán-Blanchett, Carmen Luisa Griñán, Sylvia Yolanda Griñán, his daughters: Amora Christina Griñán, Angelina Michelle Griñán-Steenrod and husband Allen Steenrod, Terreni Griffin-Hall and husband Alton Hall, Heather Settles and husband Jamelle Settles, and Skye Griffin. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Anastasia, Penelope, Shiloh, Andrew, Rian, Kagan, Centuri and Joie Kathryn.
Though José may no longer be with us, his legacy will continue to shine brightly in the stories he told, the lives he touched, and the love he extended to family, friends and the city he loved.
Family request - please refrain from sending flowers.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to: We've Been There Done That: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=SJ7XKR796WSQW&source=qr
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