My heart hurts for all of Erick’s wonderful family . I was so fortunate to get to become close friends with Erik at Oak Park high school. I think my favorite memory was our senior year when we put together a little band with a few other friends and played wild thing at the talent show.

Such a wonderful and kind and amazing human, and he just made everyone’s life better that he was part of. 

You will be so missed my friend.

This is not a memory.  I just now read all the memories on this page from fellow workers  and friends etc and it touched my heart.  
Our hearts - his family - are heavy and your kind kind words mean so much.    Janice Chambers Erick's mother

For far more years than I can remember, you greeted me on a daily basis throughout the halls of the agency with a warm smile and “What’s up Alison?”. A simple question, backed by genuine curiosity because I knew you truly cared not only about me, but every single person within our RF family.

As we transitioned to our virtual office life, our daily greetings became a bit more sporadic but without a doubt, every time we did connect you brought me back to that same moment – reminding me that we all have a story that we carry.

We can't always know what others are going through, but we can be kind and genuine in everything we do. Lending a smile, a hug or an ear may just make the difference in someone's day. That my friend, is what you did for me and so many of us. 

And it’s your warm, humble nature that inspired me to reciprocate the love in a way that was equally authentic. Surprising you with a homemade cookie cake on your birthday a few years back and every year since has been just one small way I’ve tried to show my appreciation for your friendship. I remember the joy you showed after the first one and in return, you joined our birthday crew and surprised many of us with a giant bag of gummy worms on our special days.

Erick, you made us better as individual people and as a team. You took care of all of us far more than you may know, and we only hope you felt the same love. Our RF family will truly never be the same. 

Love,
Alison 

Erick was a co-worker of mine.  As a fellow electric guitar enthusiast, Erick and I spent many a day talking about our respective EXCESSIVE "gear" collections.  Front and center in many of those conversations was his prized collection of Danelectro guitars and basses, as well as his Fender anniversary set.  I'll miss those conversations a lot.

Erick and I met thanks to a mutual friend in 1984 on the 2nd day of high school. Janine just knew we’d be friends. She was right. Fast friends all through high school. Formed a band named Creeper (lol). Erick played bass and I played drums and we got paired up with some amazing guitar players, so life was good.

During the summers, Erick and I would crew on my dad’s sailboat up at Smithville and Paradise Point where he raced. My dad helped Erick quite a bit as his own father had passed early in Erick’s life. We were basically brothers and my dad loved Erick. Dad and Erick were buddies long after I moved away.

After college, Erick helped me land my first good job at Townsend Communications typesetting Food Barn ads and helping with newspaper production. There we were, fresh BFAs in hand, ready to conquer the offset printing industry. If it weren’t for Erick’s passion for those early Macs, I almost certainly wouldn’t be where I am today. I wanted to be like Erick, and he was a wiz with Photoshop and Illustrator. I think I lived at his studio apartment for what seemed like months on end while I was trying to get started myself.

Then it was my turn and I helped Erick with his next move over to MMG Worldwide where we worked together producing ads and keeping the computers in shape. From there, Erick’s talents continued to provide good career opportunities and a great home for his beloved basset hounds. Well into our careers, we always stayed in touch and he was always at the top of my list of those to visit when back in KC.

Erick Warner was an amazing friend and he left us way too early. Of all the people I know, Erick was, is, and will always be a great artist who wanted nothing else but to be an artist when he grew up. Most people simply do not have that kind of passion and career direction. He knew who he was and what he wanted out of life. 

I’m proud to call Erick my best friend and he will be greatly missed.


Six years ago as I walked into my first day at a new job... I was told ‘as you can tell we have an open office space.. no offices... we are all out here together... your spot is here, Erica meet Erick... we think you two will have fun...’

From that day on, Erick changed my life.... we laughed more than any group of misfit/coworkers/real family should... we heckled, teased, and then laughed more...

Erick and I co-parented multiple fish together (Sparklenuts I, II, III & our current fish, Sir Sparklenuts the 4th)... 

He was Uncle Erick to my kids... teaching Henley to longboard, Bodde that sprinkles didn’t need a cake to be enjoyed and Virgil that little dogs are friends, not food... 

His smile welcomed me every morning for five years... unless I had been traveling for work in which he would welcome me back to the office with ‘cats in the cradle..’ playing loudly from his computer... reminding me our fish were lucky to have him as the ‘present’ parent...

This past year has been tough on many... especially Erick with the passing of Daisy... but He always told me that Bumper and all his ‘kids’ needed Uncle Erick to keep his head up and smiling... 

We are all heartbroken... You will never be forgotten... RIP Uncle Erick

Erick Warner was one of the first friends I made at Red Fuse.
I remember being introduced to Sparkle Nuts the fish (maybe it was the second) and learning about a Robot coffee table book he put together when his leg was broken.
I knew Eric as an artists. I attended one of his art shows and was immediately blown away by his work and vision. 
He was humble, I never heard him talk about himself or his work.
He was so kind and always had a smile on his face, the way he would say “Hey Vanessa!” when I saw him or when he called still echos in my ears.
Kids loved him! Any time someone brought their children to work, they all knew where the goods were. Eric always made sure others were having a good time.
He was dedicated to giving back. He painted with kids for Arts for Arthritis.
He loved his basset hounds. 
This is a huge loss, Eric was a part of our everyday work life, his humor and good nature will be missed.

Sir, I don't think the office will ever have the same energy or personality without you around. You are strange and loud and inappropriate in all the best, most wonderful ways a person can be. 

You have always been authentic, kind, and dedicated to your friends; our own "gentle giant" that gave so much to the way we all connected with each other. You make the office not just a workplace, but a place where friends are. 

I always thought I would be sitting down next to you again for another day of movie discussion, fish feeding, and really just an ongoing stream of laughter the entire time. We all miss you Erick. No one can replace what you mean to us, and I'm lucky to have  you as my friend.

Dear Erick,
This is one of only two photos that I have of you and it was taken 10 years ago.  I’m sorry I did not keep in touch these past few years.  What I will remember the most about you is your sense of humor, your love for creating art, and you playing your harmonica while your dogs sang along.  I am thankful to Karla for introducing us more than 20+ years ago.  
Love,
Paula

Erick was the guy at our office that everyone knows and loves and has a special place in their heart for him.  He would go home to walk his dogs every day and come back with a fresh brewed iced tea for me! He knew exactly how I liked it! He loved pets, loved our kids when they came to the office. He will be missed. 
Many prayers for your family. 

OBITUARY

Erick Damon Warner

17 April, 1970 – 7 January, 2021

Newcomer's White Chapel Funeral Home & White Chapel Cemetery

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