Anyone know of a gps watch that has picture dialing? My dad can’t search/nor type a phone# in. Needs a picture to simply tap to call+ gps

There are "tiles" you can place on suitcases that will tell you were the cases are in "rare" instance it gets misdirected. If there is a piece of clothing your dad always has on, shoes, hat place the tile on that and you should be able to track on your phone.
There are dog collars that will allow you to set a range and if the dog leaves that area you are notified. That might work.
Check with your local police department. The department where I live has a program with the Mental Health Department where they can track vulnerable people. Dementia, Autism... the person is fitted with what looks like a watch and if they go missing you call 911 and report them missing and tell the dispatcher they are on the "Care Trak" program. The officers show up, they have a book with all the people in the program and then a patrol car goes out with a special antenna and searches for the signal given off by the watch.

I wonder about a gps tracker in his wallet or like I mentioned- a watch that he’d normally wear. I’m searching for ideas.

I think at 79 and with ALZ you must have tempered expectations about him adapting to anything new, especially technology, no matter how "simple" it seems to us. Every day I have to remind my mom to carry her phone (she's 92) but has been using the same flip phone for many years. She doesn't even really have much dementia but carrying a phone is not something she tends to remember. I'm not saying to not try. It's a good reminder that we ourselves should keep up with technology no matter how uncomfortable it makes us -- it will be useful in our care in the future. Wishing you all the best as you navigate this time with your parents.