John W. Witt

1932 - 2018

John W. Witt August 30, 1932 - November 4, 2018 San Diego A beloved father and grandfather and respected lawyer, John William Witt, passed away on November 4, 2018, at the age of 86 years old.The only child of John Udo Witt and Alice Josephine Westervelt, John was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, with a brief time spent in Seattle, Washington. As a child, John was a Boy Scout and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He remained active with the Boy Scouts the rest of his life. In 1950, John graduated from Hollywood High School and began attending the University of Southern California on an NROTC scholarship where he wrote for the Daily Trojan and played on the freshman baseball team. Upon graduation, John entered the U.S. Marine Corps, serving several years on active duty before resigning his regular commission and continuing as a reserve officer, eventually achieving the rank of Colonel. John graduated from the University of Southern California Law School in 1960, the same year he met the love of his life, Lenora Jane Ticknor, on election day in San Diego where John had moved while awaiting bar exam results. John and Lenora wed in 1961 and moved to Point Loma where they raised their family. In 1961, John joined the San Diego City Attorney's office, serving as a prosecutor, civil trial lawyer, and public utility specialist. Appointed City Attorney by the City Council in 1969, he was elected to the post six times by San Diego's voters, retiring in December 1996. As San Diego City Attorney, John advised the Mayor, City Council, and City Manager on all official legal matters and supervised a staff of more than 100 lawyers. The highlights of his career are too many to mention here, but John was especially proud of his role as leader of an office of dedicated public servants, mentor to countless lawyers and judges in San Diego and beyond, and in negotiating the stadium lease that kept the Padres in San Diego in the 1970s. John also lectured on civil rights law for the Georgetown University Law Center, authored articles in numerous publications, and served leadership roles with the International Municipal Lawyers Association, the League of California Cities, and the American Bar Association. John also proudly served on the boards of numerous local organizations, including the Boy Scouts, Lions Club, Boys & Girls Club, and St. Paul's Senior Services. Despite the demands of his life of public service, John was also a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather. He coached and rooted for the sports teams of his children and grandchildren, provided support and guidance to all his family members, and set an example of how to balance a life of faith, commitment to his family, and professional dedication. John loved to travel anywhere with his friends and family, from the smallest towns in America to exotic destinations in Asia, Latin America, and Africa. His children fondly remember the annual summer road trips to the Midwest to visit family, with frequent side trips to America's greatest historic and scenic sights. John was also a Marine and Trojan for life, and would never let anyone forget it! As a faithful member of Holy Trinity Parish of Ocean Beach for almost 60 years, John also served as lay reader, chalice bearer, and Vestry member. His faith and commitment to Christ and the church were present throughout his life.John is survived by his wife of 57 years, Lenora, children John David Witt, Stephanie Mills (Joe), and William Witt (Rachel), and grandchildren Kevin and Matthew Mills, and Jacob and Nicole Witt.The family thanks the staff and management at BayView Assisted Living for their loving care and support of John. A memorial service will be held for family and friends on January 7, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Trinity Parish Ocean Beach (space limited) located at Bethany Lutheran Church, 2051 Sunset Cliffs Blvd. A public celebration of life will follow the same day at 5:00 p.m. at Golden Hall, Copper Room, 202 C St., downtown San Diego. Private interment will occur at Miramar National Cemetery on January 8. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego, Holy Trinity Parish Ocean Beach, or the San Diego Downtown Lions Club.