Lt. Col. Charles Peter Warnick, known as Chuck among his friends, passed away on Thursday, July 21, 2022 in Orem, Utah, with his loving wife and son by his side. Oldest of six children of Lola Taylor and Reed Whitney Warnick, Chuck was born on March 31, 1931 in Ogden, Utah, and raised in Denver, Colorado. He and Mamie Alice Edwards were married in the Salt Lake Temple on June 28, 1962.
Chuck served his first mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Eastern Central States Mission, focusing in Kentucky, from 1950-1952. He served his second mission with Mamie, in the Utah Valley CES Service Mission, from 1998-2000, setting up Stake Institute classes for youth living in the BYU/Provo-Orem area who weren’t necessarily students at BYU. The truths in the Gospel of Jesus Christ have been meaningful to him all of his life.
Chuck received his Bachelor’s degree in agronomy, with a chemistry minor, from BYU in Provo, Utah in 1957. He then completed a second Bachelor’s degree at the University of Utah in Meteorology in 1958, where he met Mamie. He began his graduate studies at the University of Chicago in Geophysics and Meteorology in 1964, but he was interrupted and sent to Vietnam in 1966.
In the military, Chuck’s greatest achievements included an innovative propane tank display, which dispersed fog for aircraft taking off and landing, saving the Air Force millions of dollars. While stationed in Germany, his career pivoted when he acted as Weather Support for the Army. He again saved the military millions of dollars by halting an Army exercise requiring tanks to be maneuvered over fields during a spring thaw, and he continued to advise Army Intelligence about the impact of weather on critical operations.
Chuck was most noted for his kindness and compassionate service—not only in the Air Force and Army, but also as District Leader, High Councilor, Stake Presidency (twice), Bishop (twice), Branch President (three times), Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather. Chuck regretted that his singing voice had faded with age, but he still displayed his knack for playing the piano by ear and often remembered about jamming with his oldest son, Ward, on dueling pianos.
Chuck always said his greatest achievement was his family, of whom he was very proud. His passing is sad for those left in this realm, but we don’t doubt that he is having a happy reunion with his son Ward and his parents, who all passed on before him.
He is survived by his wife, Mamie, his companion and best friend for over 60 years. He is also survived by his daughter-in-law, Julia Warnick (wife of Ward); daughter, Tracy Altman; and son and daughter-in-law Sean and Annette Warnick; his grandchildren: Danielle, Tyler, Spencer, and Joshua Warnick; Nick and Robbie Altman; and Allison (Andrew) Pieper, Sariah (Skylar) Henderson, and Kaylie (Henry) Christensen; and his great-grandchildren: Bennett Warnick Tomlinson and Ophelia Sage Henderson.
Funeral services are scheduled for Thursday, July 28, 2022 at 11:00 am at the LDS Chapel on 60 East 1600 North, Orem, Utah. Viewing will take place from 9:30-10:30 am prior to the funeral on Thursday. Interment, with Honor Guard Services, will be at the Orem City Cemetery after the funeral service. For those who would like to contribute photos or memories of Chuck to the family, or who would like a Zoom link to attend the funeral remotely, please send your materials or request to [email protected]
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Military Officers Association of America which helps military families of all ranks (https://www.moaa.org/content/forms/donate-now/), or to the Huntsman Cancer Institute.
Published by Walker Sanderson Funeral Home & Crematory – Orem on Jul. 23, 2022.
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