Van Steven Warner

To know Van was to know compassion. He had a remarkable way of making people feel safe, heard, and understood. He was the person you called when life felt overwhelming—the one who could sit with you in your hardest moments and somehow make everything feel manageable again. He gave his love freely, his advice honestly, and his time without hesitation.

Van passed peacefully from this life on February 16th, 2026, at the age of 63.

He was born on August 2, 1962, in Ft. Belvoir, VA, to the late Lowell Thomas and Mary Jean Shrum Warner. Van was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at age nine and faithfully honored his covenants throughout his life. He served a full-time mission from 1983 to 1984 in the North Carolina Charlotte Mission, where he developed a lifelong love for the people and the work of the Lord. On March 13, 1985, he was sealed to his eternal companion, LaRae Lynn Lewis, in the Washington D.C. Temple. Together they built a Christ-centered home and were blessed with three children.

Throughout his life, Van served faithfully in many Church callings. He served as ward mission leader and in the Elders and High Priest Quorum presidencies. His favorite callings were in the Primary and the Young Men organizations. He magnified his callings with humility, diligence, and quiet strength. Van deeply loved the scriptures, and he bore testimony of his Savior, Jesus Christ, through word and deed.

Van attended Ricks College and most recently worked as a technician for Motorola Solutions, Inc. He embodied a strong work ethic, integrity, and willingness to serve those around him. Van lived life with humor and conviction. He would teasingly say that “It’s easier to seek forgiveness than ask permission,” or with a smile he would say, “I do what I want.” Beneath that humor was a heart that loved deeply and cared sincerely for others.

Van is survived by his beloved wife, LaRae; his children, Ashley & Bret Black, Bradley & Missy Warner, Michael & Elizabeth Warner, Joshua & Shavonne McClure, and Neil Squire; also five grandchildren, Jackson, Zola, and Henry Warner, Olivia and Bradley Black; brothers by choice, David & Kazzy Nutt, Shawn Jones, Paul & Silvia Head, Alejandro & Sonia Betances. Van was preceded in death by his parents Lowell “Tom” and Mary Jean Warner; brother, Jerrard Warner.

Though deeply missed, my father’s legacy of kindness, faith, strength, and unwavering love will live on in all who knew him.

“We deeply and sincerely appreciate your expressions of sympathy and the many acts of kindness shown to our family. Your prayers, love, and support have sustained us during this tender time. We find comfort and quiet peace in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, His plan of salvation and happiness, and His promise of eternal families. Because of Him, we know this separation is temporary, and we look forward to a joyful reunion.”

Van’s Celebration of Life will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints located at 162 Temple Ln., Mt. Airy, NC 27030, on February 21, 2026, at 2 PM, with the Bishop David W. Lewis officiating with visitation at 1 PM until time of the service. Following the service, Van will be laid to rest in the James Monroe Hiatt Memorial Cemetery on Westfield Road. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to James Monroe Hiatt Memorial Cemetery Fund PO Box 1443, Mount Airy, NC 27030 or Paypal: @RememberingVanWarner.

Van Warner service zoom link