Capt. 63-64

Maj.

LtCol.  James W. Warner, a decorated veteran of the United States Marine Corps, died on March 13 at the Western Medical Center in Tustin. He was seventy-four.  Born in Redwood falls, Minnesota, the son of Verona and Roy Franklin Warner, he graduated from Redwood Falls High School, and then attended Hamline University in St. Paul in 1951, leaving school to volunteer for the Korean war. Training as a naval aviator in Pensacola, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. Among his early assignments as a helicopter pilot, he won the coveted duty of flying President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Promoted to the rank of Captain, his outstanding service was recognized with an award for Honorable Service at The White House. A Major during the Vietnam war, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, for heroism in combat on March 15, 1968. At war's end, he became Director of Facilities Management at the Marine Corps Air Station, Santa Ana, and won a commendation for "exceptionally meritorious service". Retiring from active duty in 1972, he entered the University of California at Irvine, majoring in Classical Civilization. In an unprecedented action, the Classics Department, including the entire faculty and fellow students, commended Lieutenant Colonel Warner. They wrote: "All differences in age, background and outlook between you and your fellow students evaporated in your obvious enthusiasm for the acquisition of knowledge. Your presence in the classes and in the Department in general has been greatly beneficial". His late wife, Rosalie Ogden Warner, passed last year. Lieutenant Colonel Warner is survived by his sister, Judith and her husband, Marvin Penski, his daughters, Leah Labrador and Louise Griffin, and his sons, James Warner, Jr. and Daniel Warner. His grandchildren are Kelly, Theresa, Sarah and Wendy Warner, and Spencer James Griffin. Col. Warner's wishes will be granted and his ashes will be flown to Avalon Harbor where they will join his beloved wife Rosie of 49 years. Catalina Island was their home away from home. Funeral services will be held at the Saddleback Chapel Mortuary at 1pm on Saturday, March 17th.
Published in the Orange County Register on 3/16/2007.