Wayne Ambrose, Longtime Coach and Runner, Dies

Wayne Aubrey Ambrose, a longtime football and track coach who lived in Orange County for half a century, died of cancer Friday. He was 68.

Ambrose, who taught physical education and coached for more than three decades at high schools in the Garden Grove Unified School District, was himself an accomplished runner. He won several events racing around the world, according to his wife, Arlane.

Born in Oak Grove, Ark., Ambrose attended Rancho Santiago College and lived with his family in Santa Ana for many years. He was the youth minister at Garden Grove’s Church of the Nazarene and routinely taught Sunday school to crowds of 100 or more.

Ambrose is survived by his wife of 43 years; his daughter, Debbie Newell of Tustin; his son, Richard Ambrose of Garden Grove, and nine grandchildren. Another daughter, Cindi Vickers, had passed away.

Ambrose’s death ended an eight-year bout with prostate cancer, his wife said. After a long remission, he fell seriously ill again last summer and never recovered.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the Church of the Nazarene, 13411 Euclid St., Garden Grove. Burial will follow at Westminster Memorial Park on Beach Boulevard in Westminster.