Dave Warren

Dave Warren

(1932-2025)

Dave Warren, a member of Santa Clara Pueblo, came partway through his journey on August 23, 2025. His final destination remains; so it was with his life: all that happened along the way was a serendipity that could never have been imagined. For him, it was a continuous unfolding of remarkable events and unforeseen experiences. Looking back, these were small miracles; how and why they happened, not to be understood, only seen as cairns along life's pathway.

In recent times, he reflected on what we seek as the meaning of life, something that many may find in some religious epiphany. Instead, he realized that it is found in the things that happen before us, in plain sight, each day. No reward or punishment awaits in some beyond; our lives are created here and now. We are capable of actions and inexplicable behaviors of senseless cruelty and shameless hypocrisy. Ironically, we know we are capable of individual kindness and abiding love. Meaning resides in our choices, those times that confirm our value or demean our spirit.

Family was his refuge, a place of solace and renewal, a reservoir never empty of compassion. At each gathering, abiding love constantly transcended good and difficult times. Alvin, Pam, Kayleigh, Aaron, Alyse, Marcia, Rich, Asher, Noah, Walter, and Judy made life an adventure, often filled with hilarious joy and shared sorrow but always boundless love. They gave him happiness and peace that grew stronger each day. The family was indeed a benediction.

Aurea, wife and partner of 58 years, without whom his life would have been empty. Marriage, for her, meant leaving the familiarity of country and family. That she made such a choice is the ultimate miracle for him, a beautiful wonder of fate. She was his strength and, when it waned, the spirit of renewal to move through difficult times. Through her, he was sustained and found the deep fulfillment of life and love.

We are the product of a life filled with vast experiences, each providing lessons of human dignity, value, and survival. For him, all were part of a continuing process, from birth to death, but nothing was final or finite. In whatever lies ahead, there is the surety that the abiding spirit of all these things that made his life well-lived will continue, indeed, flourish. Life is a chronicle; chapters are constantly being written. Another chapter now begins; he is not done with his changes.

He will be remembered as husband, father, grandfather, and, for some, Povi Win'. Whatever the memory, may they hold fast to his reverential love for them, a love that will never fade.

Looking back, an abiding sense of belonging, of beginning and return, was constant. It held fast, transcending distances traveled or encounters with worlds of starkly different traditions. Even so, one place remained constant. It now guides his journey to the mountains and the lake.

Finally, the time has come when we are gathered in by the spirit that brought us to life, guided our first steps, and hovered alongside us through every moment of happiness and sadness. It gave us abiding strength to reach this point, and we, following a natural rule, have come to this threshold, entry, and valley entrance. And we step across, still hearing the song of life and remembering the warmth of places and persons who gave us breath and gave us immortality.

You will make your roads come forth.

Your little wind-blown clouds,

Your thin wisps of clouds,

Your great masses of clouds

Replete with living waters,

You will send forth to stay with us.

Your fine rain caressing the earth

With your great pile of waters

You will come together.

Then our children,

Our ladder-descending children,

Will gather you in…

Into all their houses.

Do not let anyone fall

From your grasp

When he has gone

But a little way.

Dave's family has honored his wishes for his remains to be placed at a private plot in Santa Fe and that no memorial or commemorative ceremony be held. Traditional observances will happen in Santa Clara Pueblo. In lieu of flowers and in honor of his memory, please consider donating to the Leadership Institute at the Santa Fe Indian School, the Kha'p'o Community School or World Central Kitchen.