Donald Charles Warren

Lt. Colonel/Reverend Donald Charles Warren age 87, born on Dec. 9, 1932 went to live in his Father’s house on Sunday, March 22, 2020   after complications from pneumonia.

Don is survived by his wife of 9 years Nancy (Miller) Warren of Marietta, Ga., and Bonita Springs, Fla. He loved and cherished all of Nancy’s children and grandchildren as if they were his own. The younger grandchildren affectionately called him Papa or Papa Don.  His Beloved stepchildren and step grandchildren are Kelli (Tony) and Christy Garlock, Jim Jr. (Lisa) Durand, Joshua Martin, Taylor Lynn and Jacob Durand, Stephen (Liz) Marcus, Isaiah, and Daniel Durand, Jason (Kelly) and Carson Durand with his Mother Patti, her husband David and his daughter Annabelle Hansmann. He is survived by his eldest sister Laura (Bob deceased) Erb and his youngest sister Lois (Ed) Wensley. Donald is preceded in death by his first wife of 54 years, Joan (Camper) Warren and sisters Dorothy Warren, Ruby Johnson, Marion Tolliver, Eleanor Waybrant, and brother Rev. Harvard Warren (deceased) and his wife Katharine.  He is predeceased by his father in-law Eugene Miller and brother in-law Gary (Mary Jane) Miller. Chaplain Warren was born in Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan to the late Jay Russell Warren and Elissa (Fagin) Warren.  Don leaves behind many nieces and nephews whom he adored.

Don earned a degree in Theology  in 1955 from Owosso Bible College in Michigan. He attended five years and graduated with honors Magna  Cum Laude.  During that time he served on ten different organizations. He accepted a Pastorate for one year in Cheboygan. He continued his education at Michigan State in East Lansing, Michigan, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Theology.  He was awarded a Masters from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ, and a Masters in Marriage and Family Counseling from Azusa Pacific University in California.

Lt Colonel Warren served as an Army Chaplain for 23 years. In November 1974 he was endorsed by the United Wesleyan Methodist America Church. He served in Korea in 1964 1st Cav and Vietnam where he flew by helicopter to the platoon he was assigned too, where he prayed and comforted the soldiers. He served twice in Germany. When he was in Nuremberg 1976-1980 he served under World War II Gen. George Patton’s son, Major  Gen. George Smith Patton IV. Patton attended many of his Sunday services complimenting Don on how much he enjoyed the sermons. After retirement, he served 13 years as a Campus Minister for the Wesleyan Foundation, in their Chapel at the Ga Southern University in Statesboro, Ga., where his two stepsons Jason and Stephen Durand graduated.  After moving to Marietta, Ga, he became a substitute teacher for 13 years with the Cobb County School System.

In Don’s early years he was a skilled carpenter, making furniture and giving most of it away to relatives. He made several pieces for the sanctuary at the Ga Southern Wesleyan Chapel where he served in Statesboro, Ga. He loved to play racquet ball and walk his little dog Schatzi. Don exercised every day until his sickness in March. He was a voracious reader. He read about five books a week, mostly Christian books, history and novels. He enjoyed getting books from the library in Marietta, Ga, the Mt. Bethel Church library, and the Bonita Springs, Fla. Library. Don was an avid sports fan especially watching the Atlanta Braves.

Lt. Colonel Warren received several awards and medals in the service of his country as a Chaplain.  He received the Army Service Ribbon/Overseas Service Ribbon with Numeral, 2/National Defense Service Medal/Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with device (60)//Army Commendation Medal//Meritorious Service Medal (1stOak Leaf Cluster) Bronze Star Medal//Air Medal//Vietnam Service Medal (1st Oak Leaf Cluster)

Reverend Warren joyfully served the Lord all his life.  Finding the Lord at a very young age, he knew he wanted to go into the ministry. He attended Mt. Bethel UMC in Marietta, Ga for 34 years. He served as an Elder in the Methodist Church. Don sang in the choir contributing to the bass section. He taught occasionally the Contemporary Sunday School Class where he proclaimed his love of serving Jesus. He went on several Mission trips, helped to build houses for Habitat for Humanity and ran a 3k race winning in the over 75 age group.  Don was one of the teachers of the Men’s Bible Study group on Friday mornings. He taught from the Word of God and they prayed for the needs of each member and special requests. He has given the Homily at several of his relative’s funerals, including sisters, brother and brother in-laws.

The Memorial and Celebration of life Service will be held at the Mt. Bethel UMC 4385 Lower Roswell Road in Marietta, Ga 30068 at a later date. The Military Funeral Honors Service will be held at 2025 Mount Carmel Church Ln, Canton, Ga 30144 in the near future.

The Naples NCH Baker Downtown Hospital health team was outstanding, caring for Reverend Warren in his last 17 days of life. The families thank them for their expertise and the kindness shown to him during his illness. The family of Rev. Warren would like to thank Fuller Funeral Home of Naples for their assistance and kindness shown to the family during this grievous time.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Don’s honor to Mt. Bethel UMC, 4385 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta, Ga 30068, including the UMC Choir or the Contemporary Sunday  School  Class.

John 11:25 “Jesus said…,I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me,  though he were dead yet shall he live;”