David (Buck) Griffith

Attended ACU (Abilene) on football scholarship, married Janet in 1964, graduated in 1966, started preaching in Fairy, Texas (1964) and upon graduation moved to preach full-time at Ropesville, New Home, Grand Prairie (all in Texas). Served as pulpit minister at Windsor Park Church of Christ in Corpus Christi (1977-2002). Since 1971, authored teaching materials related to prisoners and those seeking recovery from addictions. In 1988, started Christians Against Substance Abuse (CASA). In 2002, became full-time Director of Kings Crossing Prison Ministries and President of NewLife Behavior Ministries with offices in Corpus Christi. Still serving full-time in both but retired as Director and President with Dr. Dale Underwood now leading these programs.

My "best friend" at VHS was Melvin Lawrence. We did everything together (hunted, fished, bowled, went to movies). The "key" was that Mel had access to his parents' Oldsmobile plus gas! One reason we didn't "date" much in high school was that we didn't have TIME. Fellow VHS students kidded us about being so close. Walking through the halls, we would get questions like: "Hey, Mel. Has Buck given you a ring yet?" and, "Buck, have you guys set 'the' date yet?" We just laughed and rolled with the punches. Mel and I remained close friends until his death on June 8, 2024. After high school, I went to Abilene to play football. Janet (Ellis) & I married August 14, 1964. I graduated from ACU in 1966, majoring and minoring in Bible. The rest is history.