Warren Kaufman

1942 - 2021

Warren Kaufman
February 27 1942 - November 13, 2021
Yuba City, CA
Warren Kaufman, 79, known for his big smile, boisterous laugh, large heart and keen sense of kindness towards family, friends, community, and his vast network, died Nov. 13, in Yuba City, CA, of Lewy body dementia.
A memorial service is planned for Saturday, Dec. 18, at 11 a.m., at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Carmel Valley. Reception to follow service.
As a general contractor, community leader, Rotarian, and long-time resident of Carmel Valley and Monterey County, he left a powerful, positive impression on the people in his life and the communities and causes he served, locally and abroad.
Born Feb. 27, 1942, Warren grew up on the family farm near Zion, Illinois, tending to turkeys, cows and exploring the Midwest countryside, often with Gypsy, an energetic horse he rode and showed in parades.
The foundation for Warren's calling as a builder and craftsman was formed while admiring Chicago's architecture and was cemented while working at a construction company in the city.
He graduated from Culver Military Academy and attended the University of Chicago, but his penchant for learning continued through workshops and experiential endeavors. His love of music, particularly the blues, started through conversations with a classmate and musician. Warren bought his first motorcycle while at college, igniting another lifelong passion.
In 1962, Warren moved to Berkeley, opening a new chapter of his life with his then-wife, Linda, and newborn son, Bill. He became a journeyman carpenter and embraced the '60s lifestyle.
Warren's love of speed accelerated when he discovered the Bay Area motorcycle scene, working on bikes, modifying them for speed and racing them with friends.
A move to Carmel Valley in 1969 to build homes with Stone Post & Flower, proved to be an important decision: it became the place he called "home" for more than five decades.
In 1971 and 1973, Chris and Lisa were born.
Warren was a thoughtful, prolific gift giver and the family was involved in the entire process from designing, creating and delivering handmade gifts. Many people still have the decorative, wooden Christmas trees and grapevine wreaths.
Road trips and vacations to new and familiar places were a regular part of family life. The Kaufman home was a go-to place for all friends, who knew they were welcome anytime. People often arrived around suppertime.
Warren founded Natural Development in 1973 and a brown 1950 Chevy panel van, emblazoned with the business name, was a fixture in the village. The name was later changed to Renovations and numerous homes were built and remodeled under Warren's tutelage until the business closed in 2012. Renovations was designated one of Remodeling Magazine's top 50 remodeling companies. Warren was the founder of the local chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, and he held many NARI certifications.
A consummate adventurer, Warren loved the outdoors, backpacking, mountaineering, and running, participating in races of various distances including the Big Sur Marathon.
Community-minded endeavors were an important aspect of Warren's life, including helping in many ways at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, leading a prayer group, feeding farmworkers, helping with repairs at Dampierre Park and coaching baseball and soccer.
In the 2000s, Warren began participating in triathlons of various distances, both individually and in team events, with the local triathlon club.
Warren joined the Rotary Club of Carmel Valley, which opened a new chapter in his life of service. He was the club president for 2006-2007. He became the assistant governor for District 5230 from 2011-2012. Warren co-founded the Safe Blood Africa Project, which established dozens of blood banks in Nigeria, and spoke at Rotary International Day at The United Nations.
Rotary is where Warren met Jamison and their shared passion for serving the community, locally and worldwide, was among the driving forces that brought and kept them together until Warren's passing.
In the time leading up to Warren's death, he was surrounded by family and friends who sat with him, listened to his stories and shared positive thoughts, three things that Warren did so freely with so many people over the course of his life.
Warren is survived by his wife, Jamison Kaufman; his former wife, Linda Kaufman; sons, Bill and Chris Kaufman; daughter, Lisa (Kaufman) Marsh; son-in-law, Jon Marsh; grandchildren Billy, Lili, Beau and Everleigh; sister, Rose Kaufman; brother-in-law, John Littleton; and numerous other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his father, William Kaufman, and his mother, Wilma Kaufman.


View the online memorial for Warren Kaufman