Harvey Ray Warninger passed away March 16, 2011 peacefully in his sleep with family at his side. He was the first born child of Harvey Fred and Inez (Hansen) Warninger in Yakima, Washington on February 15, 1918. His parents, a brother Bruce, sister Carol Kemper and his wife Lois preceded Harvey in death. He is survived by daughter Judy Eng and husband Phil of Seattle, Dr. Ron Warninger and wife Judy of Yakima, Dr. Bruce Warninger and wife Dr. Karen of Waymart, Pennsylvania, brother-in law Elroy Van Alstine and wife Lyla of Yakima and sister-in law Beverly VanAlstine of Toppenish, Washington. He was also blessed with 13 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
Harvey grew up and lived in Yakima all his life. As a young boy, he spent his summers working for his father (co-owner) at the Cascade Bottling Company. His father built a summer cabin on the American River in 1929, the first one in the area, and growing up Harvey spent many a fun summer there with his family fishing, exploring, and in the winter skiing at the Ski Bowl. He graduated from Yakima High in 1937, and when the war started, joined the service in 1943. While on leave in the spring of 1944 for his father's funeral, he met Lois, the love of his life and married her on July 27, 1944, just 10 days before shipping overseas to Italy. He was a bombardier on a B-24, flying missions over Germany. He was shot down on his 15th mission on Dec. 2, 1944, and was a prisoner of war until being liberated on May 8, 1945.
After being reunited after the war, they started a family, first having a girl, followed by two boys. He worked for Lindemans and John Deere before buying a second hand store in 1953 called Bill's Exchange which evolved into Bill's Plumbing Supply, which he owned and worked side by side with his wife, Lois, for 35 years before retiring and selling it to an employee, Jim Hays, who owns it to this day.
Harvey's biggest passions were fishing, golf, boating and traveling with Lois. He loved fishing at his beloved cabin and going out on opening day with his sons. He sport fished for salmon, tuna, and even once caught a marlin off the coast of Hawaii. He loved the game of golf. He and Lois were active members of the Elks Golf and Country Club for many years. They always took their golf clubs on their many impromptu driving trips all over the West coast after retiring. One of his accomplishments was a hole in one at age 75. She never knew when he would jump up one day and say "Pack your bags, Mom. Let's go." They spent their winters in either Palm Springs or Kona, Hawaii always staying where there was room for children and grandchildren to visit. Their extended travel included Mexico, the East Coast states, and to Italy for a 50th anniversary reunion of the 456th Bomb Group he was a part of in the war.
Boating also became an enjoyable pastime for Harvey and Lois. They belonged to the Yakima Boat Club for many years and spent many enjoyable summers exploring the San Juans and Gulf Islands in their boat, the Red Baron. Harvey always really enjoyed a good game of "21". He and Lois made many trips to Reno and Las Vegas and he often came home with more jingle in his pocket.
The family cabin was a lifelong retreat for Harvey and he loved sharing it with his children and grandchildren. He loved the fishing, a good game of horse shoes, a BBQ and Lois' cooking. She was the love of his life, married for 62 glorious years. He loved his children and extended family and his tender heart and generosity were felt by all. His sense of humor and his fun loving nature made him a joy to be around. He will truly be missed by all who had the good fortune to know him.
The family would like to thank the staff at Englewood Heights Retirement Village and his caregivers, Verta Johns and his grand-daughter Chris Warninger, for giving him such tender loving care and attention over the past two years. The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations may be made to Memorial Hospice, "Cottage in the Meadow" in care of Keith and Keith Funeral Home or to the charity of your choice.
Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday at Keith & Keith Ninth Avenue Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at Keith & Keith Terrace Heights Chapel with concluding services at Terrace Heights Memorial Park. To share a memory of Harvey, please visit www.mem.com.
Arrangements are in the care of Keith & Keith Funeral Home.
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