David Darnall Griffin

David Darnall Griffin left this earth Easter Sunday, April 8,2012 to join his Lord and Savior. David was a lifelong member of the Christian Church. His last days were spent under the care of Compass Hospice at his home in Crane, Texas. He willed his body to the Texas Tech medical facility in Lubbock, Texas.
David was born in Gainesville, Texas to Cecil D. and Mary Frances Darnall Griffin on October 30, 1940. David's dad was employed by Halliburton at the time and then by LTV Mustang airplane plant in the DFW area for the first 5 years of his life. Cecil received a call from Gulf Oil that they needed a catcher for their baseball team so the family moved to Grandfalls, Tx and then later to the Sandhills Gulf Camp. David attended Crane schools the entire 12 years graduating in 1959. From the camp he commuted to school on a bus driven by Doug Chrane, math teacher at CHS. In 1954 the family moved to town to a house built by Mr. Griffin.
When David was in middle school the band director, Mr. Dickerson, asked him his middle name for the records and David replied "Butch". He was then told to ask his parents his real name--David was surprised to learn that it was Darnall. The 1959 graduating class took a trip to New Orleans. In the fall of '59 he began his academic career at Sul Ross University in Alpine on a band scholarship. Failing a voice class David transferred to UT Austin to pursue a pharmacy degree but the size and scope of UT was too much and he returned to Sul Ross to earn a B.S. degree in science in 1964. He continued his education at East Texas Univ.(now Texas A & M in Commerce) earning a M.S. degree. He again retuned to Sul Ross and completed requirements for an educational mid-management certificate.
He married Mary Walker, also a Crane '59 graduate, September 8, 1962. They moved to Hereford, Texas to teach in 1964-66. but returned to Crane in 1966 to teach the next 32 years. David taught physical science, chemistry and computers. He worked in the office as attendance clerk, sponsored Student Council 18 years, was a Jr.-Sr class sponsor more years than he could remember. He was proudest of the fact that his chemistry students scored highest in whatever college they attended. He retired in 1998 as his health declined due to heart and diabetic complications.
He embarked on a new career starting a TexasGenWeb site for Crane County which includes scores of information. He was helped in this endeavor by colleague Ken Largent(now an Odessan resident). David did background checks for various firms. When this became a chore to him, he retired to gardening--adding a greenhouse and workroom to experiment with plants. David was an avid reader--reading a book a day. He also enjoyed being with his boxer dog, Max.
David leaves behind his wife Mary of 49 years; son John David and wife Michelle; grandchildren Kadence John, Canon David and Calleigh Michelle of Spring, Texas; son Cecil and wife Jana; grandchildren Brian David and Kitiara Elizabeth Arylynn of Scurry, Texas; daughter Kathryn Victoria "Tori" Griffin of Crane, Texas; sister Kathy Wilcox and husband John of Burnet, Texas; niece Karyn Stockdale and husband Justin; daughters Keely and Willa of Santa Fe, NM; niece Kristen Wilcox and daughter Mazzy of New Braunfels, Texas.
The family would like to thank the staff of Lubbock Heart Hospital, cardiologist Dr. Robert Wey, endocrinologist Dr. Michael MacAdams, kidney and blood pressure Dr. Wheeler and ophthalmologist Dr. John Streit all of Lubbock, Texas; Midland Health South staff, Compass Hospice staff, the Crane Police, the Crane VFD, neighbors Mike and Dorothy Rigg, Kenneth and Cherri Brents and especially his adopted daughter Melinda Zuniga.
No services are planned at this time. The family requests that if you wish to honor his memory that you donate to your favorite charities or the Crane High School scholarship fund.