Thomas Richard Warner

San Antonio - On July 9, 2024, Thomas Richard Warner passed peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by family, after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 73.

Tom was born in Ferndale, Michigan on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 1950. He grew up in Flat Rock and Carleton, Michigan where he graduated from Airport High School in 1969. He met his wife, Debbie, at a church youth group at age 16 in 1967. In 1970, he enlisted in the Army, where he served for three years, primarily at Camp Eschborn near Frankfurt, Germany. He and Debbie married in 1972 and when he finished his military service, he moved to Texas to join her.

Tom was a lifelong learner whose college career spanned many years, graduating from Our Lady of the Lake University in 2001 at age 51. He was very proud to call himself a college graduate and spent many years pursuing his goal, attending classes on weekends while balancing a full-time career and a young family.

Tom worked in the oil and gas industry at various companies until his retirement from Pioneer Natural Resources in 2017. During his time in the industry, he served as a draftsman, geophysical technician, database administrator, and data coordinator, among other roles at companies in San Antonio, Midland, and Irving, Texas. He also served in a number of roles for the San Antonio Geophysical Society, including its president in 1990 to 1991.

Tom was a fifth degree black belt in Tang Soo Do, and was actively involved both as a student and an instructor. He was also a frequent camping companion, Den Leader, and Assistant Scoutmaster for his son and daughter's Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops. He accompanied his son to Minnesota on two Canoe Base trips and played the part of Santa in his daughter's reenactment of Miracle on 34th Street, opposite her role as the lead Santa prosecutor.

Tom was a lover of live music, sci-fi/fantasy books, and old Japanese films (including kung fu movies and Godzilla movies). He could frequently be found attending the Austin City Limits Music Festival, watching a recorded concert on TV, watching a Texas State University or University of Michigan football game, or watching a Red Wings hockey game. He could also regularly be found cracking a silly dad joke or laughing until tears rolled down his cheeks, especially when something really tickled him. In recent years, Tom could often be found sitting on his back patio watching the birds and butterflies with Debbie and enjoying a nice cup of coffee (he preferred Starbucks Christmas Blend year-round). He also enjoyed genealogy and spent the last several years studying his own family tree.

As a father, Tom is remembered as being gentle, kind, affectionate, and involved. He loved his family in a way that was quiet, but present. He showed his love by simply being there for all of his kids' milestones, events, and activities.

In Tom's honor, drink an orange soda, eat an unfrosted cinnamon PopTart, or watch a Godzilla movie.

Tom is survived by his wife, Debbie Warner; his son, Dan Warner; his daughter, Jenni Warner-Green and her spouse, Ripley Green; and his four siblings: Lynnda Brown (John), Jeannette Cox, Liz Lott (Terry), and Edward Warner (Christi), along with their respective children and grandchildren. He is also survived by his three dogs, Kodi, Po, and Patches. He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Richard Warner, his mother, Jo Eleanor Sisson Warner, his brother-in-law Dave Cox, and many faithful dogs.

The funeral will be held at Fort Sam Houston on July 31st at 2:45 p.m., Pavilion Five. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made to the animal rescue organization of your choice.