David M. Lovejoy
The best advice I ever heard is … from my grandmother: “Never be afraid to stand up for what is right. Never follow a preacher that says, ‘My ministry…’ He don’t own the business, he just works there! Never eat in a restaurant with pictures on the menu—fresh-cooked food don’t look like that.”
My three most recommended books are … I like to read at least two classics a year. The beginning of this year, I read To Kill A Mockingbird. Now I am deep into On Walden Pond, by Henry David Thoreau; The Autobiography of Malcolm X, by Alex Haley and Malcolm X; and The Art of War, by Sun Tzu.
To me, success means … effort. You can’t have success without it. Show up early. Work hard. Leave late.
People who know me might be surprised that I … am shy and reserved, an introvert.
My biggest pet peeve is … anyone or anything who carries on with a lack of civility.
Everyone in Amarillo needs to experience … anyone or anything who carries on with a lack of civility.
If I could change any one local thing it would be … the idea of sides. Sides of town, of political parties, of races and religions. We need to be all on the SAME SIDE! The side of what’s good for me is good for my neighbor, too.
This city is amazing at … helping out when there is a need.
My favorite place in Amarillo is … the garden in my backyard.
A local organization I love right now … There are so many. Beth Duke and Center City, Tremaine Brown and his Vessel of Humanity and Compassion. He proved that one person can make a huge difference. Amarillo Area Foundation. I have seen them change peoples’ lives. Family Support Services. They do such an amazing job getting help to those who really need it. But the top of my list would be the Amarillo Police Department and Amarillo Fire Department. AFD will put their lives on the line to keep any and everyone safe. The APD, while not perfect, has been ahead of the curve in being a well-trained, fair, honest and hardworking department.
