David “Sonny” Griffin

David Griffin, 88 of Midland, passed away on Monday, October 20, 2025. A Memorial service will be held at 2:00pm, Monday, October 27, 2025 at Christ Church Anglican.

David “Sonny” Griffin was born on October 21, 1936 in Hope, Arkansas to David A. and Louise Griffin.  He attended Hope High School and was known as the “Pride of Hope High”.  At Hope High he was a star on the basketball, football, and baseball teams. He was a man of many talents with a fierce, competitive spirit that drove him to be the best at any endeavor he attempted, and he attempted much. Some of his specialties were basketball, skeet shooting, bowling and golfing, and he also had a love for poetry.

David went to college on a basketball scholarship to Oklahoma A&M and played for the legendary coach Henry Iba. He received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a Petroleum Option from Oklahoma A&M (State) in 1960 and hired on with Amerada Petroleum Corporation. With Amerada he worked in Tioga, ND, Stillwell, OK, Lafayette, LA, Seminole, TX and Midland TX. In Midland he was promoted to Division Engineering Manager.  After leaving Amerada, he entered the independent oil & gas world in Midland, TX and began doing deals. He later opened the Midland office for Natural Resource Management (NRM) Petroleum and served as President where he experienced much success. In 1982, he left NRM and started Griffin Petroleum Company, where he continued his love and pursuit of the deal until the day he heard the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant”. He served on the National Petroleum Council from 1990 – 1993 and was named Permian Basin Engineer of the Year in 1997 by the Texas Society of Professional Engineers. He also served as President of Midland Country Club.

David’s primary community legacy was his involvement with the High Sky Children’s Ranch spanning over forty years serving as president of both the Board of Directors and Board of Governors for many of those years. In these roles he was able to showcase his gifts of engaging an audience and telling jokes as the emcee of the Crystal Ball. He was deeply committed to High Sky and passionate about their mission. He was quick-witted, a great public speaker, and gave much time and resources back to the community. He made a great impact on many people and will be dearly missed.

David was married to Susanna Edith Swearngin from 1959 to 1981 and to Frances Bain from 1999 to 2001. David married Cindy Humphrey in 2007 and loved her dearly. She was his angel and stayed by his side through thick and thin.

David is survived by his wife Cindy Griffin, daughters Lisa Lasseter, Sheri Griffin, Leslie Griffin and son Eric Griffin (Kim), her sons Shawn Halbert (Stacey), Brandon Halbert (Sarah), and her daughter Ashley Hutto-Schultz (Jess). Grandchildren Ashlee, Jacob, Dylan, McKenzie, Delanie, Gunnar, Jensen, Sydney, Xari, and Henley. great grandchildren Sophie, Elise, Ari, Kyler, and Regina.

David is preceded in death by his parents David and Louise Griffin, his sister Barbara Kay Griffin, his uncle Raymond and aunt Hazel Jordan, and wife Frances Bain.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to all of their family and friends for their love and support. The family would also like to express their gratitude towards the Midland Memorial Hospital Staff for their love, dedication and attention to the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to High Sky Children’s Ranch or Christ Church Anglican.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

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