Obituary of John Delano Wayda

John Delano Wayda, 83, went peacefully home to his Lord and Savior April 27 in Lake Havasu City. Born July 8, 1934 in San Diego, California, he was the son of Walter and Gladys (McCune) Wayda.

Growing up, John was very industrious, resourceful, hard-working and respectful of adults. He had a wonderful relationship with his loving and supportive parents. He founds many ways to earn extra cash, such as delivering medications for a local pharmacy, selling eggs door to door, and, much more. As he grew older, he had a paper route, which was perfect as he was passionate about fixing and riding bikes and learning the business. It is quite astonishing that John was able to do all of those things even with the set back of his contracting rheumatic fever and being bedbound for a couple of years in late elementary school into middle school, and then, as soon as he recovered, his father showed the first symptoms of Lou Gehrig's Disease. Two years later, his father passed. John was merely 14 years old. Thanks to his resourcefulness, John helped support himself and his mother through that difficult time.

In 1953, after working in an engine repair shop for a year, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and, after boot camp, began Naval Submarine School in New London, CT. He had many wonderful and fascinating stories to share about his time on the U.S.S. Tunny.

When his naval service was complete, he went back to San Diego and soon met and married a woman he could not resist. He said he just knew that Shirley Riggs was for him. She just felt like home. While he was obtaining his Bachelor's from San Diego State, he worked nightshifts in a gas station and then managed a paper route (that prior experience paid off!).  They had two of their three children less than two years apart during his that time – they were busy!

John and Shirley were a great team. They moved to North Hollywood in 1961 where he began his first teaching job of his 33-year career as a teacher with LA Unified School District. He taught at Fairfax High School, Hollywood Adult School, Francis Polytechnic High School, Pierce College, and then spent the majority of his career teaching at West Valley Occupational Center. In the 1970's, he obtained his Master's in Education from Cal Lutheran University.

John and Shirley moved to Newhall in 1970 and Westlake Village in 1978. Upon John's retirement in 1994, they relocated to Lake Havasu City.

John loved sailing, reading, socializing, building model ships, and monthly deep sea fishing trips.

The Wayda Family enjoyed many summer road trip vacations and John and Shirley took many long road trips and motor home trips over the years by themselves. They both enjoyed discovering what was around every corner. They loved exploring America together and, early one summer, they found themselves staring at the opportunity of a lifetime: 3 months in Europe! The timing was perfect. Spain, Denmark, Ireland, England, Poland, the list goes on!! They had a blast! They were married two weeks shy of 61 years before Shirley passed away 12 months, 3 days prior to John.

John is preceded in death by his wife, Shirley; son-in-law, Robert Guevara; and parents, Walter and Gladys Wayda.

He is survived by his son Steve Wayda; daughters Karee Moore and Diane Guevara; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

A memorial service is 3 p.m. Saturday, June 2nd, at Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home. After the service there will be a Reception at John's church, St Michael's United Methodist Church at 2895 Jamaica Blvd.

Services were placed in the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home. Thoughts and condolences can be sent to the Wayda family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com. To send a free card to the family, go to www.sendoutcards.com/lietzfraze.