Duane Scott Warney

Duane Scott Robert Warney (Wayne) of El Cajon, California passed away March 17th, 2023, at the age of 89 years old. Wayne was surrounded by loved ones in his final hours. Duane was born to Robert and Gloria Warney October 13, 1933, in Rochester, New York. His parents and siblings called him “Ducky”.

As a child Ducky was active in the Catholic Church being Baptized as a baby and receiving his 1st Communion as a young boy. He also served as an Altar boy.

After graduating Madison High School 1952 in Rochester, New York, Wayne joined the Army National Guard May 19, 1952. He soon decided to Enlist in the United States Navy which he did February 9, 1953.

During his 22 years in the Navy, Duane attended Machinist Mate School, then US Naval Nuclear Power school receiving certification to work on the nuclear-powered ships 1959, then Nuclear Power Training 1960 then served on the USS Enterprise CVA(N)65 working on the World's Largest Reactor Complex receiving certification as qualified Chief Machinery Operator 1961. Duane was also involved in the commissioning of the USS Enterprise CVA(N)65 the world's largest aircraft carrier November 25, 1961. Duane was very proud of taking part in this monumental achievement proudly wearing his USS Enterprise cap well after his retirement. So much so, that he was still wearing this cap to most of his outings in his last several years. Duane also served on the USS BOWERS(APD-40), USS NORTH HAMPTON (CLC-1), USS COATES (DE-685), USS CARTER HALL(LSD-3), USS ROARK (DE-1053), and USS LEONARD MASON(DD-852). The final duty station was with the FLEET RESERVE of the US NAVY at the NAVAL DEVELOPMENT and TRAINING CENTER (DATC) whereas a MASTER CHIEF MACHINIST MATE he was in charge of the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration shop. Through the years Duane took many classes to improve his career and move up the ladder. His friends in the Navy called him “Red”. Duane served in Cuba and tours in Vietnam. He received many medals including NAVY ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL with COMBAT “V”; MERITORIUS UNIT COMMENDATION; GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL (FIVE AWARDS); NAVY EXPEDITIONARY MEDAL; NAVY OCCUPATION SERVICE MEDAL; NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL (TWO AWARDS); ARMED FORCES EXPEDITIONARY MEDAL (CUBA); VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL (6 CAMPAIGN AWARDS); REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM MERITORIUS UNIT CITATION GALLANTRY CROSS COLOR; and the REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM CAMPAIGN MEDAL. DUANE SERVED 22 YEARS OF FAITHFUL AND HONORABLE SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY.

It was in Idaho Falls during the Navy that Wayne met his lovely wife of 63 years Lila Mae Wakamatsu of Blackfoot, Idaho. They lived on the East coast and later the West coast settling in El Cajon California after being transferred to San Diego, California for the Navy. After retiring from the Navy in 1974 Wayne worked for a company as a service engineer until he went to work with JW Mechanical Company where he started the JW Mechanical Service Department in 1977 with one truck and himself. In 1979 JW MECHANICAL Company Incorporated and the Service department became JW MECHANICAL SERVICE COMPANY. Over the next several years Wayne and Lila ran a productive Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, and Heating Company working in the Commercial, Industrial and eventually in the Marine industry in ship repair of Navy Ships.

Throughout the years Wayne was a very social man. He was a Mason, a Shriner, (joining the drum and bugle corps playing the baritone bugle) and belonged to 3 different VFWs over the years. He was a volunteer cooking for years at the Encanto post VFW and also a “COOTIE”

Wayne Loved to Fish freshwater and deep sea, then bring the fish home and put it on the weber grill. Wayne was always up for some good seafood, a cookout, or a get together. Wayne and Lila made many trips to Mexico with friends for the seafood and social outing. He liked to golf, watch football, and he loved to watch NASCAR car racing and truly enjoyed watching and supporting our local legend from El Cajon, Jimmy Johnson win and of course in everything he did he LOVED to do it with beer.

Wayne is survived by his Wife Lila Warney, His Daughter Sandra Wilson, His Son Tony Warney, Brothers Kenny and Roger Warney. As well as 6 Grandchildren, (Jacob, Jennifer, Tyrone, Jerod, Jina, & Rachael) and 8 Great Grandchildren.

Duane is Predeceased by his Parents and Brother Gordon Warney, Sisters Carol, Doris, and Marilyn.

Memorial Services will be held on Tuesday April 11, 2023, at 1100 AM at Mira Mar National Cemetery