WAYNE ALAN GRITTON
Wayne Alan Gritton, of San Diego California went to be with the Lord on May 1, 2020. Born in 1935 and raised as farm boy, he forewent multiple football scholarships to support his country and join the US ARMY in 1953 as an intelligence officer in Korea. He returned to the states and joined the San Diego City Police Department in 1961. In 1997, he retired as Detective Sargent in the Western Division. As part of Narcotics Task Force, Wayne was instrumental in establishing the National K9 Narcotics unit for Airport Security and Undercover High School Narcotics Task Force.
Wayne received numerous commendations over the years and was loved by many at the SDPD. He was known as the “Best Detective Sargent”, someone who “impacted my life and career”, “raised me from a pup”, he taught me “how to investigate and be patient” and told so many, “there is life after the [SD] Police Department”.
Those who knew and loved him referred to him as “Gritts” or “True Grit” as a man of integrity and unconditional love for his family, fellow police officer’s, neighbor’s and those who he gave a hand to.
He loved being a Dad and “Pop Pop Wayne”. It meant the world to him. He let his grandkids dress him up, cover him in stuffed animals, play tea parties and ball. He always had an open door for all his children to lend an ear or cheer on their successes.
He fought his bravest battle against Frontotemporal Dementia. His love and devotion to his wife Eileen was with him to the end. He had her read his favorite Psalm 91 each night. Heaven opened up and welcomed Wayne A. Gritton with a smile on his face to greet the King…Jesus!
Thank you all for your love, support and beautiful memories. Wayne, my precious soulmate, you will be missed and forever with us in our hearts.
Wayne Gritton is survived by his wife of 19 years Eileen Gritton; daughter’s Lisa Gritton Sweesy and Vicki Gritton Klein; blended family Kris Michell, John Paul Behra, Tim Behra, Jeannie Kalley, Ted Behra , Shari Futas and Leanne Packard, 15 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
Private Services for interment are tentatively scheduled at Miramar National Cemetery on July 6, 2020.
A Celebration of Life will be tentatively held at Maranatha Chapel in Rancho Bernardo on July 6, 2020 at 2pm. Attendance may be restricted. Please check with family members as the date approaches if additional people will be allowed to attend.
In lieu of flowers please consider a tax-deductible donation to either Association for Frontotemporal Dementia at:
Association for Frontotemporal Dementia- in memory of Wayne A. Gritton
AFTD https://www.theaftd.org/support-aftds-mission/
AFTD is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Donations are tax-deductible, and our federal tax ID number is 41-2073220.
1-866-507-7222 or email info@theaftd.org
Maranatha Chapel- in memory of Wayne Gritton
10752 Coastwood Rd, San Diego, CA 92127
(858) 613-7800 or website https://www.maranathachapel.org/
