Keith Green - Garden Valley, TX - Grave of a Famous Person on Waymarking.com

Born in Brooklyn, NY, Keith Green developed a love of singing and music at a very early age. Playing several instruments and composing his own songs, he was destined for a life of music. He appeared on TV, in commercials, and live theater before the age of 11.

Time magazine ran a story on the aspiring rock and roll singer recently signed to a record label. Struggling with his beliefs, a teenage Keith turned to drugs and free love. After giving up the drugs and seeking answers in philosophy and theology, he met his future wife Melody. The newlyweds purchased a home and welcomed into it anyone who needed a place to stay. After expanding to several other homes in the neighborhood, there were at one time 75 down-and-out people living in what was referred to as "The Greenhouse" which developed into a non-profit ministry called "Last Days Ministries."

Signed to Sparrow Records in 1976, the singer worked with several popular Contemporary Christian artists. Three years later Keith negotiated a release of his contract with Sparrow Records. He made the decision to not charge any money for his concerts or albums, the price paid would be determined by the purchaser.

In 1978 the Last Days Ministries began publication of a newsletter, eventually forming Last Days Magazine. By the mid 1980's the magazine was being sent to over 500,000 people worldwide. In 1979 the ministry relocated to Garden Valley, TX, which is about 8 miles east of Van.

On July 28, 1982, a plane carrying Keith, two of his children, a pilot, and a family of 8 (six of them children) crashed during an aerial tour of the Garden Valley area. The crash site was less than a mile from the Last Days Ministries' property. Green left behind his one year old daughter, and wife Melody who was six weeks pregnant with their fourth child. The NTSB later determined that the crash was caused by a dangerous overload of weight, and lack of experience/certification by the pilot.

A large monument at Garden Valley Cemetery marks the final resting place of Keith Green and his two children (Josiah and Bethany). A movie about Keith Green's life and ministry is in development (2013).

(Above bio is from Keith Green's wikipedia page): (visit link)

Description: Keith Green, who died at the age of 28, left behind a legacy of music and Christian evangelism. A talented musician and singer from a very early age, he ventured into TV and live theater, earning him an article in Time Magazine as an up-and-coming rock and roll singer. After experimenting with drug use, he sought a more meaningful life and found it in a relationship with Jesus. Keith married Melody after dating for a year, and together they started the non-profit Last Days Ministries. In the midst of Keith's very successful music recording career, the ministry was relocated from California to Garden Valley, TX. At the young age of 28, Keith and two of his children were tragically killed in a plane crash only half a mile from the LDM property. Left behind were Keith's wife and unborn child, and one year old daughter. After his death, tribute records and songs were released to honor this immensely talented and popular musician and evangelist. Youtube has a myriad of videos featuring Keith's music and story. Text on marker: Gone To Be With Jesus Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. John 12:24 Josiah David Green Sept. 18, 1978 July 28, 1982 Keith Gordon Green Oct. 21, 1953 July 28, 1982 Bethany Grace Green Feb. 5, 1980 July 28, 1982 Link to an 11 year old Keith Green on the TV show "I've got a secret!" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ6Vi2PUx08 Date of birth: 10/21/1953 Date of death: 07/28/1982 Area of notoriety: Entertainment Marker Type: Monument Setting: Outdoor Visiting Hours/Restrictions: Dawn to Dusk Fee required?: No Web site: [Web Link]

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