John G. Warner

John Gustave Warner, 94, of Tallahassee died peacefully at home on October 23 2011.

Born in Kersey, Colorado, on June 17 1917, the son of Christina Oster and Gustav Warner, John graduated with a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Colorado in 1940. He married Dorothy Nies in Broomfield, Colorado, on February 2 1941, and spent the 1940s and 1950s in California working as a chemical engineer who also received some patents for developing petroleum cracking catalysts. As an engineering executive he supervised the construction of petroleum refining plants which provided the majority of the high octane aviation fuel used during the Second World War. He moved with his family to Winchester, Virginia, and then to Tallahassee in the 1960s. He was the Director of Engineering and Production for Minerals and Chemicals Corporation of America (later Engelhard Minerals and Chemicals Corporation) and was in charge of a plant in Attapulgus, Georgia, that produced a high quality catalyst. He travelled widely supervising mergers and acquisitions in Brazil, Peru, Mexico, Spain, France, Germany and Italy which was an exciting and enjoyable part of his career. He retired in the early 1980s and became an active member of Tallahassee Kiwanis Club and the St Paul’s United Methodist Church of Tallahassee. He especially loved the community at St Paul’s Sunday school class and was part of its many social activities. He developed impressive skills in jewelry making and gave his friends and family many lovely pieces.

John was predeceased by his wife, Dorothy Nies Warner; his brother-in-law, Harley Nies and his sister-in-law, Dolly Nies.

He is survived by son and daughter-in-law, John Harley Warner and Naomi Rogers of New Haven, CT; sister, Dorothy E. Akin of Billings, MN; nephew, Allyn Reed and his wife Laura Ann Reed of Laguna Woods, CA; grandchildren, Nathaniel Gustav Warner and Dorothy Miriam Warner of New Haven, CT; and grand-nephew, Erich Andrew Reed of Laguna Woods, CA. Faith Ann Clements provided affectionate care as his housekeeper and friend.

He will be remembered as a loving and devoted family man and friend and will be sorely missed.

Instead of flowers contributions should be made to St Paul’s UMC, 1700 North Meridian Road, Tallahassee 32303. Funeral Service will be on Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. from Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church with visitation one hour prior at the Church. Entombment will follow at MeadowWood Memorial Park.

Arrangements are under the direction of Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home in Tallahassee, Florida.