Lorin Griset, 86, a former Santa Ana mayor and city councilman, died Friday at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach from complications of a hematoma, family members said.
Born to a Santa Ana dairy farmer, Griset was elected to his first council term in 1967. Two years later, he became mayor as the city plunged into racial turmoil sparked by the slaying of a white Santa Ana police officer by a member of the Black Panthers.
Griset met with black church leaders to quell tensions and later helped launch the city's Human Relations Commission. In 1971, he also supported a plan to bus schoolchildren to achieve integration.
Before entering politics, Griset, a UCLA graduate and lifelong Republican, helped found a Christian businessmen's group and served as president of Goodwill Industries.
As an Army officer during World War II, he was captured by the Germans and sent to a prison camp in Poland, said his son Norman. Griset and other prisoners of war were later forced to march back to Germany through the snow as their captors fled the advancing Russian Army. Griset was freed when the war ended, his son said.
Returning home, he set up an insurance business.
Lorin Griset Academy, a continuation high school in Santa Ana, opened in 2006 and is named in his honor.
Diligent family researchers have verified that, by the time of his discharge, he had been promoted to 1st Lieutenant.
Born to a Santa Ana dairy farmer, Griset was elected to his first council term in 1967. Two years later, he became mayor as the city plunged into racial turmoil sparked by the slaying of a white Santa Ana police officer by a member of the Black Panthers.
Griset met with black church leaders to quell tensions and later helped launch the city's Human Relations Commission. In 1971, he also supported a plan to bus schoolchildren to achieve integration.
Before entering politics, Griset, a UCLA graduate and lifelong Republican, helped found a Christian businessmen's group and served as president of Goodwill Industries.
As an Army officer during World War II, he was captured by the Germans and sent to a prison camp in Poland, said his son Norman. Griset and other prisoners of war were later forced to march back to Germany through the snow as their captors fled the advancing Russian Army. Griset was freed when the war ended, his son said.
Returning home, he set up an insurance business.
Lorin Griset Academy, a continuation high school in Santa Ana, opened in 2006 and is named in his honor.
Diligent family researchers have verified that, by the time of his discharge, he had been promoted to 1st Lieutenant.
Lorin Griset, 86, a former Santa Ana mayor and city councilman, died Friday at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach from complications of a hematoma, family members said.
Born to a Santa Ana dairy farmer, Griset was elected to his first council term in 1967. Two years later, he became mayor as the city plunged into racial turmoil sparked by the slaying of a white Santa Ana police officer by a member of the Black Panthers.
Griset met with black church leaders to quell tensions and later helped launch the city's Human Relations Commission. In 1971, he also supported a plan to bus schoolchildren to achieve integration.
Before entering politics, Griset, a UCLA graduate and lifelong Republican, helped found a Christian businessmen's group and served as president of Goodwill Industries.
As an Army officer during World War II, he was captured by the Germans and sent to a prison camp in Poland, said his son Norman. Griset and other prisoners of war were later forced to march back to Germany through the snow as their captors fled the advancing Russian Army. Griset was freed when the war ended, his son said.
Returning home, he set up an insurance business.
Lorin Griset Academy, a continuation high school in Santa Ana, opened in 2006 and is named in his honor.
Diligent family researchers have verified that, by the time of his discharge, he had been promoted to 1st Lieutenant.
Born to a Santa Ana dairy farmer, Griset was elected to his first council term in 1967. Two years later, he became mayor as the city plunged into racial turmoil sparked by the slaying of a white Santa Ana police officer by a member of the Black Panthers.
Griset met with black church leaders to quell tensions and later helped launch the city's Human Relations Commission. In 1971, he also supported a plan to bus schoolchildren to achieve integration.
Before entering politics, Griset, a UCLA graduate and lifelong Republican, helped found a Christian businessmen's group and served as president of Goodwill Industries.
As an Army officer during World War II, he was captured by the Germans and sent to a prison camp in Poland, said his son Norman. Griset and other prisoners of war were later forced to march back to Germany through the snow as their captors fled the advancing Russian Army. Griset was freed when the war ended, his son said.
Returning home, he set up an insurance business.
Lorin Griset Academy, a continuation high school in Santa Ana, opened in 2006 and is named in his honor.
Diligent family researchers have verified that, by the time of his discharge, he had been promoted to 1st Lieutenant.
Inscription
Beloved Husband, Dad and Grandpa
Lorin Griset
April 12, 1919 - March 31, 2006
"...Be strong and courageous. Do not be
afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD
your God is with you wherever you go."
Joshua 1:9
WW II MIA POW 2nd Lt. 44th Division of the 7th Army
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
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