Mark Anthony Warren

Mark “Tony” Warren, 77, passed away on January 22, 2026, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Born on October 17, 1948, in Lancaster, California, Tony lived a life marked by deep devotion to family, tireless work ethic, and an adventurous spirit that touched countless lives.

Tony spent his early years in Lancaster before moving to Nowata, Oklahoma during his senior year of high school to reunite with the extended Warren and Collins families. He later attended Wichita State and the Oklahoma Military Academy, where he played baseball for a year before choosing to dedicate himself fully to providing for his growing family—a decision that would define much of his life’s path.

From a young age, Tony worked alongside his father and brothers hanging drywall. With determination and grit, he eventually built his own business—one that would grow to include his children and shape skylines. In later years, he focused on large-scale military housing projects, building thousands of units while continuing to lead by example. Well into his seventies, Tony remained active on job sites—driving forklifts, walking stairs, handing out cold Cokes to workers he treated like family. He credited much of his success to the labor crews who stood beside him over the years and never failed to express gratitude for their dedication.

Tony’s legacy is carried forward by his children with: daughter Desiree Warren, her son Joshua Murray; son Tony Warren and wife Janie; their kids Megan, Kavan, Sara and her husband Dakota Green and their children Kennedy, Kade, Collins, and Cal. Tony and Janie's son Alec and wife Cierra and their two kids Brenlee and Atlas. His daughter Janel Whinnery and husband Stan, their daughters Meredith, Josie, and son Greg and his wife Makayla and their kids Cooper and Grayson. And, Janel's step-daughter Kacee Wilson and step-sons Liam and Landon Whinnery.

He is also remembered by his siblings: Larry and wife Debbie; Gary and wife Pat; Rick; and sister Linda and husband Jerry Ewton. His extended family includes numerous nieces and nephews as well as Aunt Betty Collins and the mother of his children Kathy Winn Tatham.

Tony was preceded in death by his beloved parents Pauline Collins Warren and Haskell Clarence Warren; grandmother Velma Collins; Aunt Louise Gardner; Uncle Bill Collins; sister-in-laws Gloria and Phyllis, brother-in-law David Campbell and many other cherished members of a large and close-knit family.

A man of many passions, Tony embraced life with enthusiasm. He had a love for flying—once surviving a harrowing engine failure in his Cessna 421 thanks to what he believed was divine intervention prompted by his mother’s prayers. He enjoyed sports of all kinds: skiing the slopes of Colorado with flair, and taking his kids and their friends on ski trips for spring break, competing with his brother-in-law David Campbell on their trick water skis, coaching Desi and Tony's youth soccer teams and baseball. He and his close friends coached Tony Mark's team the Rowdies, years that would prove to be formative to so many kids in Claremore. Pool parties, windy days, Kathy's homemade ice cream, hush money and a few wagers made memories we will never forget. The Nuggets, Royals, Dodgers, Broncos and Desi's alma mater, the OU Sooners, kept Tony busy watching hours of sports. No game did he enjoy more than his own kids and grandkids games.

Lake time was special to Tony. He spent countless hours teaching kids how to water ski from behind a boat—often at the cost of his own neck and back. Fourth of July on Grand and tying up to his brother Gary’s boat was a family tradition for years before leading nearly 30 years of summer adventures at Lake Powell aboard the family houseboat with all three of his kids and grandkids. His cabin in the San Juan Mountains became “Papa’s Place,” a haven where grandchildren roamed freely and memories were made under wide Colorado skies.

Tony also found peace in ranching—watching over his cows—and joy in hunting trips in the mountains. He loved cutting firewood next to roaring bonfires at the river-bottom, weenie roasts and watching the kids ride horses with his sister’s family. Fishing trips took him from Canada to Mexico to Alaska. He relished mountain drives just to see what lay around the next corner, stretching daylight for the next corner. Big Alaska adventures, scuba diving in warm waters, and long road trips with his grandkids, Tony lived a big life traveling with his family.

He had a fondness for homemade burgers, fried egg sandwiches, biscuits and gravy—and especially Janel’s tacos. A roll at the craps table was always more fun when shared with kids or grandkids. He would often let the kids play hooky and go to work with him, stopping first by Carls Coney Island for Bills breakfast. The teachers at Justus always said, "Tony, they learn more with you than they do in the classroom." He felt Kathy and he were blessed to have such wonderful teachers at Justus.

Faith played an important role throughout Tony’s life. Raised in a Christian home, he brought up his children in church at Memorial Heights Baptist Church in Claremore, Oklahoma. Later in Colorado, he continued this tradition with his grandchildren in Monument. His belief in prayer was unwavering—especially after surviving that fateful flight—a moment he credited as life-changing.

Tony was a devoted father and provider who spent countless hours riding shotgun in pickup trucks teaching kids how to drive—not just vehicles but their own lives—with wisdom only he could impart. He made every child feel seen and valued. Through thoughtful questions rather than direct answers, he helped others find confidence within themselves.

He believed all kids were worthy of love and compassion—and lived that belief daily through mentorships that often began with ice cream runs or road trips but left lasting impressions far beyond childhood. A good road trip included Charlie Monk at Willies Roadhouse, his favorite music being Ray Charles, Elvis Presley, Conway Twitty, Neil Diamond, Vern Gosdin, Alan Jackson, Bobby Bare and a good amount of Elton John and Cher.

Above all else, he treasured his grandkids. Often teasing the girls and wishing he had a daughter just like them. Asking them, “are your parents being mean”, “do I need to come pick you up”, “do you want to come and live with me?” His grandsons were given clear guidance on the role of a man and a father whose prideful work and respect for others was the foundation of their character. He taught them to love their mothers and care for their sisters, and respect their wives. Tony and his grandchildren had secrets that will likely never be broken, the respect runs too deep. It may be as simple as too many Nutter Butters or driving on the highway way before age appropriate, and probably a few casino stories, but Papa took it to his grave and they will as well. He loved to play Bobby Bare “Winner” with his granddaughters rolling down the road feeling young and in charge telling stories of he and his brothers and of course meeting their beautiful Mimi, Kathy.

Tony Warren lived large—with heart wide open—and leaves behind a legacy built not only from construction but from laughter-filled lake days, hard-earned lessons shared on dusty job sites or snowy slopes, quiet prayers answered mid-flight, roaring fires surrounded by family—and the unshakable belief that every child deserves someone who believes in them.

His memory will live on in those who knew him—in every sunrise over Lake Powell or snowflake falling on Colorado peaks—in every kid who learned they mattered because Tony told them so.

May his memory bring comfort to all whose lives he touched.