- Date Of Birth: May 22, 1918
- Date Of Death: December 23, 2010
- State: Michigan
Graydon D. Wykert of Kalamazoo formerly of Sun City, AZ Passed away December 23, 2010 at Rose Arbor Hospice. He was born May 22, 1918 in Jackson County, Kansas to the late Frank and Eva Vanderwall Wykert. Graydon was married to the former Margaret Harris on February 4, 1950, who preceded him in death in June of 1991. Graydon served in the U. S. Navy for over 20 years retiring as a Chief Gunners Mate. He served in the Pacific Theater aboard the cruiser USS Indianapolis and saw duty at the battle of Coral Sea and the Aleutian Campaign.
After his military career Graydon joined the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Department as a Deputy in 1959. He worked his way through the ranks to Lieutenant and Captain serving as the head of the Sheriff’s Department Traffic & Patrol Division and the Services Division. During his service with the Sheriff’s Department, Graydon attended and graduated from numerous courses of instruction including the United States Army Military Police School, Michigan State University and The Traffic Institute.
He also served as an instructor for local law enforcement training seminars. After more than 20 years of service Graydon retired from the Sheriff’s Department in 1981. Graydon enjoyed a long and well deserved period of retirement living much of the time in Arizona. During his retirement years he visited family and friends, traveled and played golf. He was a longtime member of the Free Masons, Circleville Lodge #20 in KS, as well as a life member of the Elks #50 in Kalamazoo.
Surviving Graydon are his sons, Tim Janet Wykert of Irving, CA and Steve Wykert of Kalamazoo; grandchildren, Erika, David and Emma; sister Evelyn Wykert Edwards of Marina CA, brothers Robert Wykert, Gerald Winnie Wykert both of Topeka KS and Kenneth Wykert of Circleville KS; and many nieces and nephews. Also preceding Graydon in death were 2 sisters, Grace and Velda Wykert; and brother, Lyle Wykert.
