Judge David G. Guyton was born in Rock Hill, SC. His parents are Charles H. Guyton and Elaine E. Guyton. His wife is Crystal F. Guyton, Principal of York Road Elementary School. He has 2 children, a son Caleb, 2018 Citadel graduate, now serving as a 2LT, US Army deployed to Poland, and a daughter Hannah entering 10th grade.
Judge Guyton graduated from Northwestern High School in 1979, and received his B.A. from Furman University in Greenville, SC in 1983. He graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1987 and was admitted to the SC Bar in 1988. He also graduated from Naval Justice School in 1989 and the US Army Command and General Staff College in 2001.

Upon admission to the SC Bar Judge Guyton served 3 years active duty as a Judge Advocate in the United States Marine Corps, and is a Desert Shield/Desert Storm Veteran, prosecuting courts-martials as a Trial Counsel in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain as part of the First Force Service Support Group in Camp Pendleton, California.  He joined the SC Army National Guard as a Captain in March of 1992, and retired as the State Judge Advocate for the SCARNG with the rank of Colonel in August 2017, after 32 years of military service.  COL(R) Guyton has served with the 262 Army Air Missile Defense Command, the 228th Signal Brigade, and as the State Military Judge at Joint Task Force Headquarters in Columbia, SC. He has received numerous medals and commendations and was deployed to Texas in Operation Noble Eagle within a few weeks of 9/11. His service includes Exercises in the Republic of South Korea and Israel, and a State Partnership Program with Colombia, South America.

Upon release from active duty in 1991 with an Honorable Discharge he returned to Rock Hill to practice law with Hugh Harrelson and Wes Hayes. He became a Partner in 1996 in the firm of Harrelson, Hayes, & Guyton, where he primarily practiced in Family Court until his election to the Family Court Bench in February 2010, re-elected in 2013, and again in 2019. He also served as an Associate City Judge for the City of Rock Hill from 1999 to 2009.

Judge Guyton is a member of the York County Bar, the SC Bar, the American Bar Association, the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, and is admitted to practice in the US District Court for the District of South Carolina. He served on the Commission on Lawyer Conduct for over 10 years and currently serves on the Commission on Judicial Conduct. He served as a private Guardian ad Litem in custody cases and as a Volunteer GAL in DSS Neglect and Abuse cases. He also volunteered many hours to the pro bono and Military Assistance to Military Personnel programs of the SC Bar.

Judge Guyton is a past President of the York County Bar Association, and the Kiwanis Club of Rock Hill. He has served as the Judge Advocate for VFW Post 2889 and the Marine Corps League Olde English Leathernecks Detachment, and is a lifetime member of both organizations. He is of the Baptist faith, having served as a Deacon and Sunday School teacher in several churches.  He is a past Treasurer and Board member of the Rock Hill School District Foundation.

Judge Guyton is the recipient of the SC Outstanding Young American in Religious Leadership Award from the SC JayCees in 1995, the Outstanding Young Lawyer Award from the SC Bar for 1996-97, and the CWF Spencer Jr. Community Service Award from the York County Bar in 1995. He enjoys physical fitness and trains for various races with his F3 brothers in Rock Hill, SC.