MOORESVILLE, N.C. – Richard Eugene Warren, 67, of Mooresville passed away on Sunday, May 3, 2009, at his residence.

He was born on June 21, 1941, in Champaign, to the late George Anthony and Irma Lorene Harrison Warren. He was a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran serving as a warrant officer and a helicopter pilot in the 68th Attack Helicopter Company. He was the founder of Welcome Home Veterans Inc. and a member of the VFW and of the Boy Scouts of America. In his heart he was still a member of the United States Military, a man who truly loved his country and the men and women who defended it. He was the owner and operator of Pat's Coffee Shop in Mooresville, a gathering place for all military veterans, the birthplace of Welcome Home Veterans Inc., and where you were greeted with a smile, a handshake, and welcome home.

He is survived by his children, Brian A. Warren and wife Kim of Standish, Maine, Brent E. Warren and wife Patti of Cape Cod, Mass., Jennifer W. Grubb and husband Doug of LeCenter, Wash., Katherine W. Akers and husband Dennis of Kingman, Ariz., Jason Warren of Nashua, N.H.; brothers, Fred Warren and wife Marsha of Boise, Idaho, George Warren and wife Evelyn of Merrillville, Ind.; sisters, Betty McConkey of Wesley Chapel, Fla., Wanda Fett and husband Mike of Urbana, and Sue Sullivan of Urbana; grandchildren, John Warren, Jackson Warren, Kelan Warren, Hannah Grubb, Sam Grubb, and Kristin Akers.

Funeral services will be held at noon on Friday, May 8, at Cavin-Cook Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow the service in Salisbury National Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Welcome Home Veterans Inc., 13817 Tributary Court, Davidson, NC 28036.

Cavin-Cook Funeral Home, Mooresville, is serving the Warren family.