Warren Craig Traweek

1942 - 2014

Warren Craig Traweek obituary, 1942-2014, Oro Valley, AZ

BORN

1942

DIED

2014

FUNERAL HOME

Adair Funeral Homes - Avalon Chapel

8090 North Northern Avenue

Oro Valley, Arizona

Warren Traweek Obituary

Warren Craig Traweek 71, passed away March 31, 2014. He was born May 22, 1942 in Dallas, Texas, the son of a Southern Baptist preacher and his school teacher wife. He married Cleta Branham in 1964. This May 22 will be their 50th wedding anniversary and Warren's 72nd birthday. In 1965, Warren and Cleta left Texas and drove to California, not knowing where they would work or live. They settled in Redondo Beach, renting an apartment one block from the ocean. Warren surfed every day after work. The young couple thought they would stay on the beach forever, but Warren was drafted in 1967 and served in Vietnam as a crew chief and door gunner on a Huey B-model in D Company, 227th Aviation Battalion, 1st Air Cavalry Division, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was wounded on the first day of the Tet Offensive and received the Purple Heart. After the war he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Commercial Design at the University of Arizona and pursued graduate studies as well. Warren served as Ventilation Engineer at Magma Copper; Mine Inspector at the state level; Federal Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) National Special Investigator; Corporate Safety Coordinator/Mine Production Superintendent at Duval/ Western Ag Minerals; Western States Potash Industry Representative to Washington, D.C.; Director of Safety and Health at ASARCO (Hayden, AZ) and Corporate Safety and Health Director at BHP Copper (San Manuel). Warren's passion was sport aviation. He flew a 1946 Luscombe 8A (Silvaire), tail number NC2227K, for 43 years. His vintage planes and hangars are at Ray Blair Airport, San Manuel where his nephew, Parrish Traweek owns PC Aircraft. He was a painter, sculptor and artist in a surrealist art deco style, merging natural forms with industrial structure. In his career he traveled to Australia, South America, Africa, and throughout North America, taking extra time to experience the best that each locale had to offer. In his retirement years he flew the Yukon and the Arctic Circle in a small single-engined aircraft and thoroughly enjoyed life at the San Manuel Airport. Warren is survived by his wife of 49 plus years, Cleta, whom he loved deeply; his sons, Brian and Brad; grandchildren, Claire, Adam, Sam, David, and Ruby; sisters, Ureta and Janet; brother, Jack and their families. Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOME, Avalon Chapel.

Published by Arizona Daily Star on Apr. 13, 2014.
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Warren helped me familiarize in my Luscombe. He was a wealth of wisdom, experience, patience and good will. How often I remarked to friends what a truly great guy he was. They don't make 'em like that anymore.

Gary Leeks

May 22, 2014

Warren was the "white knight" in Decatur High School in Texas. That blonde hair and cute smile got all the girl's attention. He was a great football and basketball player and just a wonderful Christian young man. I have thought of him over the years and was so sorry to hear about his passing. I know I will see him in heaven. Janet was also a good friend. Loved them both Fifty five years ago seems like yesterday. May God comfort Warren's family.

May 10, 2014

I never saw Warrnen again after high school, in Decatur. He was a little older than I, but we were both active in our local teen church group. We shared many fun times and I am sure that he kept the same wonderful smile and great loving attitude throughout his life.

DiAnne Allen Arnette

May 5, 2014

Warren was a dear friend to my father. He was highly respected in our home as a truely "good man." This earth was a better place for his presence. He will be missed.

Anonymous

April 18, 2014

I will miss talking to him about Honda Elements. He owned one, sold it and regretted it. I own one so I was always letting him know when I saw any for sale.

Joy Velde

April 14, 2014

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Funeral services provided by:

Adair Funeral Homes - Avalon Chapel

8090 North Northern Avenue, Oro Valley, AZ 85704

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