Dr Wayne Grant - A Tribute

Memorial – Wayne Grant, MD, Pediatrician, Leader, Friend

By Roger Matkin, DMin

My friendship with Wayne began in 1992 when Wayne and Veronica and family moved to San Antonio from El Paso to continue his career as a Pediatrician.   We met in the context of our mutual passion for medical and dental ministry along the Texas and Mexico border.  At that time as a volunteer Wayne was in charge of medical /dental missions for the Texas Baptist River Ministry.  In my capacity as Director of Baptist Student Ministries at UTSA and the UT Health Science Center, I had already led groups of professionals and students to the border to do ministry that included medical and dental clinics.  That’s how our partnership and friendship began.

Our friendship began with early breakfasts at places like Denny’s and Cracker Barrel.   Those meetings continued over the course of twenty years or so.   Primarily we just met as friends, but occasionally other doctors and dentists would join us.  In the mid-1990s, national CMDA leaders selected San Antonio to be the first local chapter in the country.   I was the Director and Wayne became the first Chairman of our local SA CMDA Council.

Wayne was an understated yet very effective leader.    With folks like Wayne and many others, our local CMDA ministry thrived and became the model that would be duplicated all over the country.   I remember well our very first CMDA banquet at the Hyatt Hill Country with Wayne as our first Chairman presiding.   Over the years in various capacities – as Council Chair, Council member, leader of our medical and dental border ministries, etc. -Wayne was a huge factor in the success of our local CMDA ministry.  

Wayne had the full support and cooperation of his dear wife, Veronica.   Who knows how many CMDA Council meetings were held at their house over the years?  She was always a gracious hostess.  For them it was always and obviously a team effort.

Wayne was the quality of person you rarely find.  It was my great privilege to work alongside him in many and various ways over the years.  He wore many hats over the course of his professional life and ministry as a Christan physician.   I certainly admire and appreciate all his efforts in that regard.  Bottomline, I will miss Wayne as my faithful friend and companion over a couple decades.