Walter Dennis Griffith

WALTER DENNIS GRIFFITHNovember 17, 1952 ~ October 25, 2009 A beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend and visionary He is survived by his wife Kim, daughters Nicole Robinson and Carrie Duffey, son-in-laws John Robinson and Chris Duffey, and grandchildren Casie, Max, Westin and Andrew. The impact of Dennis' life extended far beyond Southern California. He was a tireless servant of the Lord. Dennis began as a student at Teen Challenge, was hired as staff, then Center Director, and eventually became Executive Director of Teen Challenge Southern California. He was an exceptional visionary whose driving passion and exceptional talents to further the Kingdom brought him to a point where he influenced national and global policies with regard to the drug epidemic. Yet this humble man of God always had time to shoulder the burdens of others. No one was too little or unimportant. He helped birth new Teen Challenge Centers in several countries and made possible the opportunity for lives to be changed globally. Always generous with his time and treasures, Dennis put others and his family before himself. He will be deeply missed by family and co-laborers around the world. Dennis Griffith was the Executive Director of Teen Challenge International, Southern California and served the organization for 33 years. Under Griffith's leadership the Southern California organization has grown to include a network of 10 centers, providing youth, adults and families with effective and comprehensive drug prevention services, including a residential discipleship program for 500 adults seeking freedom from their addiction. Dennis Griffith has also served the world wide Teen Challenge organization in various capacities over the years. He served as an Officer on the Board of Directors for Global Teen Challenge, networking with Teen Challenge centers in other countries. He also serves Teen Challenge International, USA as the Teen Challenge Representative to Washington, DC. In March of 2003, Dennis received a special honor, President George W. Bush appointed him to serve as a Commissioner with the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, Drug Free Communities Program, giving the White House advice on drug related issues. "I deeply appreciate and I am honored by the President's appointment," Griffith says. "This is a wonderful opportunity for me to serve in a way that is vital to our country's future and contribute to the nation which gave me a second chance." Dennis also served on the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) Advisory Board and is also an Expert Faith Based Panelist for the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT). Both centers are part of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA). Services will be held on Monday, November 2, 2009 at 10:00am. The location is Grove Community Church, 19900 Grove Community Drive, Riverside, CA 92508. The family has requested that no flowers be sent. We believe that it would certainly be a suitable tribute to Dennis' life that, in lieu of flowers, gifts could be sent to Teen Challenge of Southern California