J. Christopher Warner

Chris Warner, devoted husband, caring father, loving grandfather, mentor, coach, and educator left this world on Friday, August 18th, 2023. While Chris always wanted it to be known that he was a simple man, he was much more than that to those that love him.

Born in Washington, DC on September 3, 1945, Chris was the 5th of five boys born to Bill and Matilda Warner. Chris attended Blessed Sacrament School in Washington DC for grade school before following his brothers to Gonzaga College High School, where he graduated in 1963. Chris continued to the University of Scranton where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in English, followed by law school at Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law. Alas, Chris realized that law was not for him, and in 1968 began his professional career by joining Archbishop Carroll High School as an English teacher.

In 1969, Chris met the love of his life, Judy Doyle. Judy and Chris married in 1970. Their daughter Jenny was born in 1971 and Elizabeth in 1974. Daughters are expensive, so, despite rising to become Chairman of the English Department at Carroll, Chris left teaching high school to begin a career in real estate. That decision quickly led him to a lifelong career in Mortgage Banking, where Chris held many positions, including the President of 1st Washington Mortgage Corporation, the largest provider of mortgages in the Washington DC area at the time. During Chris’ 10-year tenure with 1st Washington, he developed a ‘unique to industry’ training program that mentored and developed many of today’s industry leaders. Well respected by his peers for his volunteerism and leadership, Chris was elevated to the President of the Metro Mortgage Bankers Association in 1993. Chris’ work ethic was 2nd to none, and he instilled this drive both in the employees he mentored and his daughters who adore him.

Chris also volunteered at his parish, St. Elizabeth Church in Rockville, Maryland, and coached numerous youth basketball teams throughout the years, including his daughters’ teams. Those coached by Chris continue to speak of the positive influence that he had on their lives, both on the court and off.

Chris was very proud of his many professional and personal accomplishments, but his proudest achievement was his almost 53-year loving marriage to Judy. Chris was also immensely proud of his daughters, their spouses and his 6 grandchildren: Jenny and Larry Corrigan, Elizabeth and Jeff Morelli, Jack Morelli, Ava Morelli, Will Corrigan, Kate Morelli, Patrick Corrigan and Brendan Corrigan – all whom adore their Pops! Chris’ love of his extended family and many, many friends was palpable to all who knew him. It may come as no surprise that his favorite movie quote, from It’s a Wonderful Life, was “Remember, no man is a failure who has friends.” By this measure, Chris Warner was a highly accomplished man who will be missed dearly by many.

Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, September 7th at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church at 917 Montrose Road, Rockville, Maryland, 20852. A Funeral Mass will be held the following morning beginning at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 8th at St. Elizabeth. In lieu of flowers, gifts to Gonzaga in Chris’ memory are welcomed at https://www.gonzaga.org/support-gonzaga/make-a-gift