Monty Vandergriff

Monty Ray Vandergriff, born October 25, 1937 in Tyler, Texas to Agnes and Johnny Vandergriff and passed away unexpectedly on July 8, 2005 in Dallas, Texas. He was a resident of Mesquite, Texas. Monty graduated from Tyler High School in 1954. He served 4 1/2 years in the US Navy during the Korean War. Later he would attend the University of Texas @ Tyler and graduate in 1975 with a Masters Degree in Law Enforcement. He worked for the Tyler Police Department, Mesquite Police Department and retired with the Dallas County Sheriff's Department in 2000. After retiring he took on another career, working in the Mesquite Independant School District. He loved this job. First he was a crossing guard and later became a substitute teacher, teaching the little ones.They would call him Mr. V. and write him letters and draw him pictures.Monty and Sylvia also had a business, Oma's and Opa's Books and Gifts. They enjoyed doing this business together. Once a month it was off to Canton they went for First Monday. After long weekends of doing craft shows, Monty started to focus on his faith. Monty became a big part of Eastridge Park Christian Church and joined a men's Bible Study Group that he attended every Friday morning at 5:30 a.m. No matter if he was teaching or had a doctor's appointment, he made his Bible Study. Monty and Sylvia enjoyed traveling to other states and meeting up with Monty's old Navy buddies for remenicing of good times past about the ship they were aboard called the U S S O'Bannon. Monty and Sylvia looked forward each year to attendingthe Hallmark Squad Reunion. Monty belonged to the Masonic Lodge # 1233 in Tyler, Texas, the Scottish Rite and the Hella Shrine. He absolutely loved his German Heritage. He loved going to Fredricksburg for Oktoberfest and to Wahlberg to hear the Wahlberg boys, a German Band that he and Sylvia enjoyed listening to so much. They later became very good friends. Monty also enjoyed sharing old war stories and became a member of the American Legion, Post 507. This is a big part of who he was. It wasn't long after joining that he was elected their Finance Officer for 2005. Monty had many friends, a wife and children who loved him more than he knew and grandchildren who adored him. He will forever be missed and remembered by all of those who loved him. He never met a stranger. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Sylvia Vandergriff of Mesquite, Daughters, Cindy Schultze & husband James of Atlanta, GA. and Tonya Salas & husband Rufino of Mesquite, a son, Jay Vandergriff & wife Kimberly of Allen, grandchildren Kirstin, Lacy, Monica, Gage and Trey, Mother, Agnas Vandergriff of Tyler and a brother Jerry Vandergriff and Wife Carolyn of Tyler. The family will receive friends at New Hope Funeral Home, 500 E. Hwy 80, Sunnyvale, Texas, on Tuesday evening, July 12, 2005 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. Services will be at 10:00 AM Wednesday, July 13, 2005, at the Eastridge Park Christian Church, 2701 Town East Blvd., Mesquite, Texas.