Wayne W. Griggs

Wayne Griggs, cherished husband, father, brother, and follower of Christ, passed away Tuesday, February 6, in San Antonio, Texas. Wayne was born in El Dorado, Kansas on May 6, 1937, but the family soon moved to Pampa, Texas.

Wayne was a proud Pampa Harvester and was given a John Philip Sousa award for his leadership in the band. Wayne went on to major in music at West Texas State University (now West Texas A&M). It was there, as a drum major attending band camp in 1958, that he met the love of his life, Jeanine Meinecke. They were married in the campus chapel in 1959 and remained devoted to one another for 58 years until Jeanine’s death in 2018.

Wayne joined the ROTC in college and became an artillery officer in the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Korea from 1959 to 1962, then rose to the rank of Captain working in the Texas National Guard. Following his overseas military service, Wayne returned to Texas and began life as a band director. More importantly to him, though, was starting a family with Jeanine, and they welcomed two daughters, Evona Shannon and Devora Kristen.

Wayne committed his life to providing and caring for his family. Soon discovering that the wages of a band director weren’t enough to provide for a growing house full, he left music behind and spent most of his career with Skaggs-Albertsons retailers. He was a store director at Albertson’s stores all over the state of Texas including in Amarillo, El Paso, Austin, and Pflugerville. He and Jeanine also taught at Jesus Chapel School in El Paso, where their daughters were students.

After his retirement Wayne dedicated his time to helping Jeanine become a successful farmer and rancher. A Reagan Republican, he also became active in the Travis County Republican Party, where he became a Precinct Chairman and played behind-the-scenes roles helping fight for the unborn and for traditional values. For over ten years, Wayne and Jeanine enjoyed life in “God’s country” on 20 acres outside of May, Texas. They returned to live in Pflugerville in 2009.

Above all else, Wayne was a quiet man of faith, and deeply loved Jeanine, Evona, Devora, and his grandchildren. He enjoyed any activities where “his girls” were involved . . . gardening and watching baseball games with Jeanine, “politicking” with Devora, and talking business, sports, and grandkids with Evona.

Wayne exemplified Ephesians 5:25, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” Wayne and Jeanine were regular donors to several Christian charities. Wayne spent his final years in San Antonio, where he was cared for by Devora and her husband, Aaron Taylor.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Freida Griggs; his adored wife Jeanine; and his much-loved younger brother, Dennis. Wayne is survived by daughters Evona Hartzell of Reevesville, South Carolina; Devora Griggs and her husband, Aaron, of San Antonio, Texas; sister Susie Hall of Pampa, Texas; grandchildren David Hartzell and Elessa Dore, and great-grandson Devon Ward, all of Kentucky.

His legacy of love lives on through his children, grandchildren, great-grandchild, and the many lives he touched.

Services will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, February 12 at Sunset North Funeral Home in San Antonio and graveside on Tuesday, February 13 at Cook Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home in Pflugerville. Wayne enjoyed gardening with Jeanine, and flowers are always beautiful and appreciated.

Memorial contributions in Wayne’s name may also be made to your local crisis pregnancy center, adoption agency, or Texas Alliance for Life.