Griffin Marczuk passed away November 28,2022. He was born May 20, 1994, at 501 Skyline Drive North Little Rock, AR to father, Lou Marczuk and mother, M.J. Orellano.  The family later moved to Little Rock and became members of Christ the King Catholic Church.  Griffin attended Christ the King Catholic School grades K-8 then continued at Catholic High School for Boys grades 9-12.

While at Catholic High, Griffin played saxophone in the Rocket Band, was a member of the Rocket Cross Country Team and Rocket Fitness team. He completed a half marathon at age 15 and a full marathon at 16 post chemotherapy treatment for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Through the generosity of Make-a-Wish and Colson Oil, Griffin was able to take flying lessons and soloed in a single engine Cessna at age 18.

Griffin had a passion for leadership and service at a young age which followed him throughout his life.  He became an Eagle Scout at age 16, organizing a team to complete a handicapped accessible ropes course at Camp Aldersgate where he had also served as a camp counselor.

Griffin received the Chancellor’s Scholarship to attend the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.  He chose to study in the Walton College of Business Honors College where he graduated Cum Laude with a double major in Economics and Finance and a minor in Mathematics. He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity where he was voted “Most Brotherly Brother,” “Most Spirited Greek Life Facilitator” and served as Philanthropy Chairman.  Griffin was elected to the Interfraternity Council as Vice President and received a special scholarship; the “J. D. Bruning Unsung Hero Award” as you could usually find Griffin in a supporting role doing what ever needed to be done. Griffin also received annual scholarships from CARTI for Kids who support pediatric cancer survivors for their college education.

Following college graduation, Griffin moved to Nashville, TN to work for UPS.  He did not know anyone but made many new friends through his work and the East Nashville Running Club where he ran “Ragnar,” a two-day running relay marked by fun and true grit.  Griffin had a gift for using Excel, analyzing data and teaching others. He found his true work family at StrategyCorps where he became a senior financial analyst. He was supported by his StrategyCorps family until the time of his death through cards, emails, phone calls, visits and prayers.

Griffin loved living and working in Nashville. He enjoyed the music scene and attended live shows weekly until the pandemic, then switched to outdoor performances when available.  He loved kayaking to Bear Island, camping, hiking, the Nashville food scene, playing video games, and travel, but most of all he loved his friends and family. He had a gift for spreading joy, sharing a kind word and demonstrating perseverance.

He is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Louis and Margaret Marczuk and his maternal grandmother, Jewell Griffin.

Survivors include his mother and stepfather, M.J. and Daniel Orellano, his father, Lou Marczuk, his grandfather, Buron Griffin Sr., step-grandmother Vickie Smith, “The Boys” who continued remote game nights with Griffin until the end, stepsister Lindsey Orellano, stepbrother Christopher Orellano, niece Ivy Orellano, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins from the Marczuk, Griffin and Orellano families.

The family would like to thank Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Dr. David Becton, The Monroe Carrol Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Dr. Debra Friedman, Dr. Carrie Kitko, Dr. Michelle Reising, UAMS, Dr. Peter Emanuel, Dr. Mutha Veeraputhrian and a special thanks to Judy Osburn, APRN. Also, thank you to Arkansas Hospice.

Visitation will be at Christ the King Catholic Church Thursday, December 1, 2022, at 6:00 pm followed by the Holy Rosary at 6:30 pm. The funeral service will be held Friday, December 2, 2022, at 2:30 pm at Christ the King Catholic Church with a private interment in the columbarium immediately following the ceremony.

Griffin invites his friends and family who are over 21 to join him in a special celebration at the CHS Turf room on Friday, December 2, 2022, at 6:30 pm.

You may honor Griffin’s life by donating to the Griffin Marczuk ‘12 Memorial Scholarship Fund, Catholic High School Foundation, 6300 Fr. Tribou St., Little Rock, AR 72205 or donate online at www.lrchs.org

Arrangements by Arkansas Cremation, 10515 W Markham St, Ste B1, Little Rock, AR 72205.  If you would like to leave a message of condolence to the family, you may do so within the "Tribute Wall" tab. www.arkansascremation.com