Clyde James Vandergriff, Jr.

Clyde James Vandergriff, Jr. “C. J.”, born October 14, 1970 to parents, Clyde James Vandergriff and Lorene “Rene” Crawford. He passed into the loving arms of his heavenly father Saturday, February 11, 2017. C. J. Vandergriff was a man who loved people, loved the military, and loved the Lord. He spent 17 years in the military including the Kuwait Liberation, Desert Storm, and the Gulf War. C. J. also served as a Navy Corpsman with the 3rd Marine Division while in Desert Storm. He continued his service to the military after retiring through serving in honor guard and by training young people for color guard / honor guard. After retirement from the military, C. J. participated in short term missions overseas and in Christian leadership outreach through Walk to Emmaus and Tres Dias. Stemming from these ministries, C. J. was also involved in ministry to incarcerated youth through Epiphany Ministries. Feeling the call of God upon his life, C. J. attended Rhema Bible College in Broken Arrow, OK graduating from the pastors’ program in 2012. While at Rhema, C. J. served as a Rhema Student Usher and as a member of the Rhema Nursing Home Ministry. After graduating from Rhema, C. J. came to Crockett, Texas, where he joined Torchlight Community Church as the outreach minister. In his position, C. J. had a strong nursing home ministry and worked with young Christians at the church. C. J. also assisted in the church’s Christian school and instructed the school’s color guard in 2014 – 2015. C. J. was also active in the music worship program playing bass guitar. C.J. felt the Lord leading him to continue in ministry and requested ordination by his pastor. On July 20, 2014, a board of nine pastors convened and after questioning him concerning the Word and about his call, they laid hands on him committing him to the work of the Lord. C. J. served as an assistant to Pastor Wayne Irwin, helping him with various duties in the services and administration of the church. He was preceded in death by his father, Clyde James Vandergriff, Sr.; grandparents, Sular and Kate Vandergriff and Eddie and Ethal Crawford; sister, Dorothy Vandergriff-Todd, and several aunts, uncles, and other relatives. He is survived by his wife, Tami Vandergriff; mother, Lorene “Rene” Vandergriff; stepmother, Ginny Vandergriff; brothers, Ernie Vandergriff and wife, Nancy, Michael Vandergriff and wife, Georganna, and James Buchanan: sisters, Beverly Raehorn and husband, Sam, Julie Brashears and husband, Jeff; and children, Sada Rene Vandergriff, Kyle Howder, Brent Howder, and Kaprice Matcham; along with many nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Services for C. J. will be held Saturday, February 18, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. in the Callaway-Allee Memorial Chapel with Pastor Wayne Irwin of the Torchlight Community Church of Crockett and Pastor Luis Febus of Standing In The Son of San Antonio will be officiating.

The family received friends for visitation Friday, February 17, 2017 from 6 to 8 p.m. Military graveside services will be held Monday, Feb. 20, 2017 at 2:15 p.m  in the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Torchlight Church 304 South 7th Street, Crockett. Online condolences may be made at www.callawayallee.com