Dayton Arthur Fritz

Dayton Arthur Fritz (07/11/24 - 01/06/18)

Dayton was born on July 11,1924 to Arthur and Louise (Stein) Fritz in Lewiston Minnesota at the family farmhouse; he was baptized into the faith on August 11,1924.  When he was three the family moved to Wisconsin, eventually settling in Waukesha, where he attended Trinity Lutheran Church.  After graduating from Waukesha High School, Dayton began working at Waukesha Motor where he had several different  jobs. In 1945, at age 21, Dayton moved to Bakersfield, California and worked at the Borell's Dairy while attending the University of California, Davis.  He went on to complete a two year course in Dairy Industry.  After completing his studies he was employed in the University Farm Creamery as plant superintendent.  This contributed to his life long love of all things cheese and ice cream.

Feeling he had a vocation to become a pastor, Dayton left California behind in 1951 and began his ministerial career at the Concordia Seminary in Springfield, Illinois.  While attending, Dayton was involved and participated as a local chapter officer, in the Walther League young adult association.   During a national convention held in Chicago Illinois, he met his future wife Eleanor Hupp who faired from Ottawa, Canada.  They stayed in touch  through letters and a few visits and after three years of courtship they were married on September 4, 1954. They went on to have seven children who were born in Kansas, Illinois, New York and Canada.   Dayton and Ellie were married for 55 years until Ellie entered heaven on January 10, 2010.

Dayton completed the Seminary in 1957 after having served a vicarage year in Great Bend, Kansas.  He was ordained at First Lutheran Church of Logan and Redeemer Lutheran Church of Monkton, Ontario, Canada.  In 1960-1963, Dayton served at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Auburn, New York.  In 1963-1970, he served at St Paul Lutheran Church in Elmira, Ontario, Canada.    In 1970-1973, Dayton served at  Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Daggett, Michigan.  In 1973-1980 he served at Hope Lutheran Church in Indian River and Grace Lutheran Church in Gaylord, Michigan.  In 1980-1984, Dayton was able to fulfill a life long dream to return to California.  He accepted a call to Christ the King Lutheran Church in La Habra Heights, California.   In 1984, Dayton accepted his last call to Trinity Lutheran Church in Ridgecrest, California.  He officially retired in 2001 after 44 years in the public ministry.  Dayton moved to the Oakmont Assisted Living Facility in Chino Hills in 2013 where he became a member at Grace Lutheran Church in Yorba Linda.

Dayton went to heaven on January 6, 2018.  He was preceded in death by his wife Ellie, his brothers: Gerald (Lucy), Robert (Jean) and Arthur and his sisters: Donna (David)  and Dolores.     He is survived by his  two brothers, Wayne (Darlene) and Norman (Lola), and three sisters-in-law (Anne, Myrna and Carol Jean), seven children:  John, Ruth, Anne, Paula, Debra, Krista and Mark (Caroline), five grandchildren: Brianna (Joe), Jessica, Ashley, Royce and Ian, and two great grandchildren:  Logan and Emerson.

Dayton loved to sing, and while he was a minister, his voice could always be heard above the congregation when hymns or psalms were sung.  He also was an avid whistler.  Dayton devoted his life to his congregations and the communities to where he served.   He freely confessed his faith in Jesus as his Savior whom he trusted to forgive his sins and give him eternal life.  He often expressed a desire to leave this world of troubles and be with Jesus in the heavenly realm.  We know that Dayton is now home in heaven and joyfully reunited with all those he loved who went there before him.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Grace Lutheran Church 6550 Fairmont Blvd, Yorba Linda, CA 92886 , to Mission for the Visually Impaired 375 Bridgeport Way, South St., Paul MN 55075 or the California Lutheran High School 31970 Central St., Wildomar CA 92595 .