Charles Courtland Warren, Jr. "Court"

April 8, 1942 – January 2, 2025 Fresno, California – Court Warren was born in Mobile, Alabama on April 8, 1942 to Charles Warren, Sr. and Jeanette (Keane) Warren, of Pennsylvania. His father was a civil airman working for the Air Force and Army. Court, his older sister Cathie, and younger brother David, grew up traveling the country, and he attended middle school while they were stationed in Japan. The family eventually settled in San Diego, California. Court graduated from El Cajon Valley High School, class of 1960. He attended Grossmont Community College and began his long career in business management. On September 28, 1963 he married Christine “Cris” Elizabeth Dilluvio, and they began to build the family that would be his pride, joy, and focus for the rest of his life. They had two children, Christina and Frank. As a dad, Court took his family camping and fishing, and eventually became a staple of the softball and baseball fields, coaching and supporting his kids’ passions. That love and enthusiasm for family continues throughout his life, and certainly when his granddaughters, Allison and Campbell joined in the 90’s.

Court managed Thrifty Drug Stores throughout San Diego County before moving his family to San Luis Obispo in 1978. He served as the Director of the bookstore at Cal Poly State University (where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in 1997). He left SLO in 1998 to be the Director of San Jose State University’s bookstore and food services, and retired (for the first time) in 2005. Having become avid motorhome travelers, Court and Cris ended up parking their RV and running a resort in Pahrump, Nevada before retiring again, and moving to Fresno in 2017.

He loved golf, and traveling, watching sports, and all his gadgets. As a younger man he was a talented swimmer and diver, as well as pursuing his interests in cars, outdoors, and being on the dance floor. Court and Cris were inseparable, and made a life as partners having adventures, travelling, and being surrounded by family and making deep, lifelong friendships.

Court was known for bringing many innovations to college bookstores, including being one of the first to introduce personal computer sales on campus. Court was a highly respected director, cultivating strong relationships with staff, customers, and vendors, and serving in leadership roles in college bookstore associations, his RV group (“California Coasters”), and even serving on the Residents Board at his retirement community complex. Court died in Fresno on January 2, 2025. He was predeceased by his parents, his younger brother, and his beloved dog, Geebie.

He is survived by his adored wife and true companion of 61 years, Cris; his daughter Christina Kish of Austin, Texas; his son, Frank Warren, daughter-in-law Christina, and granddaughters Allison and Campbell, of San Luis Obispo; and his sister, Cathie Kemmeter of Madison, Wisconsin. He will also be deeply missed by his much-loved nieces and nephews.

No services are planned at this time. In lieu of sending flowers, please consider a donation to a charity of your choice, in his honor.