About David
David Stanley was born in Newport News, Virginia in 1955. Three years later, his parents divorced, setting the stage for an extraordinary event. In 1960, David’s mother, Dee Stanley married Vernon Presley, Elvis Presley’s widowed father. David was just four years old, 20 years younger than his new stepbrother, when he and his two brothers Billy and Ricky moved into the Graceland Mansion in Memphis, TN.
David would spend the next seventeen years living, growing up, and working for his world -famous stepbrother. Raised in a Christian home, David gave his heart to Christ at the age of 12. It was at that time he first felt a calling in his heart that God had a plan for him.
At the age of 16, David dropped out of high school, and began working and touring with Elvis as a personal aide and bodyguard. From 1972 to 1977 David did hundreds of shows with Elvis and was part of some of the most historical concert events of the 20th century. From Elvis’s moments of glory to his tragic demise David was there.
On August 16,1977 David’s life came to a grinding halt when he was among the first to discover Elvis’s lifeless body on his bathroom floor. In Memphis, TN. Devastated by the loss of his big brother and left with nothing more then a substance abuse problem and ninth grade education David’s life quickly went spiraling out of control.
Deeply depressed his tragic loss David took hand full valiums along with a fifth of scotch. Three day’s later David woke up in a hospital to a still small voice saying “David, It’s not your time. I’m not done with you.” The voice was replaced by a doctor who entered the room, looked directly at him, and said, “young man, you’re supposed to be dead.” In the corner of the room was David’s mother on her knees praying, “God, please save my son.
Lying there later that night with IVs in his arms and tubes up his nose, David knew that God had come to his rescue that day, and to remind him that He loved him and spared his life for a reason. Soon after David embraced his faith in Jesus Christ as his Lord as his Savior. He overcame his addictions and developed new priorities centered on educating, motivating, inspiring and helping others. He began his speaking career in 1980, traveling throughout North America and Europe sharing his powerful testimony 'From the King of Rock & Roll to The King of Kings. God used David testimony and thousands came to know the Lord as a result.
In 2002, because of personal issues that David had not dealt in his own life David stepped out of full time Ministry. He wrote several secular books relating to his years with Elvis Presley and produced and directed a film about the last dark days he spent with Elvis. He created his own film and publishing company and was having much success in his endeavors.
He appeared to have it all, “living the dream”, but something was missing, and he knew, just as I had always known, exactly what it was. Alone and empty David had lost all his passion and joy.
In 2016 David was diagnosed with Parkinson’s decease. Devastated by this news David slipped deeper into depression and develop a self-destructive mindset. He was a Broken Vessel who had stepped away from his calling. David was convinced that God could never use him again. Unable to take it any longer he fell on his face and cried out to God, asking Him to forgive him and show him what He wanted him to do. God responded, telling David He loves, has forgiven him and him still had a plan for his life.
Today David Stanley has been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ. He has boldly stepped back into the ministry, using the God gifts he has been given as a speaker, author and filmmaker for His glory.
II Corinthians 5:17
I have known God for most of my life. I have loved Him and I have served Him. I have even walked away from Him, But He has never walked away from me.