John Allan Warwick
Age 77, passed May 9, 2016. Survived by wife of 51 years, Sharon; son, Aaron and wife, Karen; grandchildren, Sophia, Henry, and Stella; sister-in-law, Mary Clausen (Dan), brothers-in law, Michael O’Brien (Lynn) and Allen O’Brien (Michele); several nieces and nephews, good neighbors and many friends. Preceded in death by parents, Arthur and Edith. Living in the house his parents built, he was a Roosevelt “Teddie.” Working in auto repair, real estate and sales for several years, he graduated from Brown Institute and worked for Northwestern Bell /U.S. West/Qwest retiring after 15 years at Minneapolis-St. Paul Int’l Airport. He was proud of installing land line phones on Air Force One. A scholar of World War II history, John had many other interests, especially cars. He played bass viol and the accordion. He could fix almost anything and enjoyed helping others. A strong believer in unions and a conservative Democrat, he loved his community ? serving on the Bell Community Service Team and taught children in elementary schools about telephones and also fire education after joining the Minneapolis Honorary Fire Chief’s Association. He read for the Radio Talking Book. A special experience was hosting Paul Wilkins from Northern Ireland in 1977. John thought of him as his “other” kid. South Minneapolis was John’s world, but he loved the North Shore spending many happy days there throughout his life. Having coffee with friends in local restaurants was a favorite pastime. Fond of cats, his best “friend,” Buddy, was always at his side. John was baptized and confirmed at Augustana Lutheran Church and joined Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church in 1970. Services will be at Bethel, 4120 17th Avenue South, Minneapolis on Monday, May 16 at 11 a.m. Visitation Sunday, May 15 from 5-7 p.m. at Henry W. Anderson, 3640 23rd Avenue South, and at Bethel Monday, 10 to 11 a.m. Interment Lakewood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, John requested memorials to Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church.