Devon William Griffin will forever be known as the original soul behind Frizzy Grizzly, the heartwarming mascot of The Infinitely Limitless Books of Wonder. From the very beginning of this journey, Devon stood beside me—not just as a supporter, but as family, as a believer, and as a bearer of the joy and magic we hope to spread around the world. His responsibility was to bring Frizzy Grizzly to life—both through performance and spirit. He was set to be the one who would wear the costume and physically embody the character, traveling into communities to uplift, entertain, and embrace the hearts of those who needed love the most. Devon’s role wasn’t just a costume—it was a calling, and one he accepted without hesitation.

I had the honor of knowing Devon nearly his entire life. He and his brother Douglas are not my godsons by title—they are my godsons through love, time, and the bond we built over the years. From the moment I met them—Devon at age four, Douglas at three, and their baby sister Lisa at only five months old—they became family. Watching them grow was one of the greatest privileges of my life. I helped raise them, cheered them on, and was blessed to be part of their journey into adulthood. Lisa is now 21. Douglas is 25. And Devon, at only 26 years old, left this world last summer—but not before becoming an irreplaceable part of my heart, and the heart of this mission.

Devon was everything Frizzy Grizzly was meant to be: unpredictable, playful, mischievous in the most lovable way, and full of warmth that drew people in. When I first started writing stories and imagining the world of The Infinitely Limitless Books of Wonder, Devon told me the moment the Frizzy costume was finished, he wanted to be the first one inside it. He said, “That’s me. I am Frizzy Grizzly.” And I knew he was right. He would’ve been perfect. His vibrant, loving spirit matched the character in every way—and even though he didn’t get to wear the suit, the truth is, he became Frizzy Grizzly in every way that mattered.

Devon believed in this dream from the very beginning. We talked about it often—how stories could change lives, how a bear could bring hope, how we could build something beautiful together. He saw the vision. He loved the stories. And more than anything, he understood the purpose: to help others, especially those who felt forgotten or limited by the world around them. That belief—that we can make change through wonder—is forever tied to his legacy.

And now, my sweet godson, this is for you:

Devon, you were the soul of Frizzy Grizzly before the costume ever existed. You were the joy I wanted to share, the laughter I wanted to spread, the love I wanted others to feel. You were supposed to wear the suit—but instead, you became the spirit. Not just of the bear, but of the mission. You were there before it had a name. You saw the dream before it had form. And now, you are part of every page we turn, every hug we give, every smile we create.

You are not gone—you are woven into the very essence of what we do. You are the heartbeat of The Infinitely Limitless Books of Wonder, and you always will be. You were my godson, my friend, my son in spirit, and the first to say, “Let’s do this.” Your name will never fade. You will be remembered, loved, and honored for as long as this organization lives.

You are our first and forever Frizzy Grizzly.

With eternal love and pride,

Justin T. Brown