Vincent W. Warner D.D.

The Right Reverend Vincent W. Warner, D.D., was born 12/27/1940. He died 06/09/2024.
He is survived by his wife, Shen Warner, son Victor Warner and his daughters, with his first wife, Janice (deceased): Virginia Warner, Lilly Warner Everett, and Beverly Christina (Christy) Warner, as well as Lilly's husband, Matt Everett. Also surviving are his nephew Vance Pitzer, Snohomish, WA, niece Beverly Pitzer Lyle, Martinsville, VA, nephew Lewis Pitzer, Martinsville VA, niece Ann McGhee, Roanoke, VA. He was predeceased by his brother, Beverly Warner, his sister, Phoebe Pitzer.
Vincent was born and grew up in Roanoke, Virginia. His parents were Vincent W. Warner and Virginia Warner. After college, Vincent began a successful career in business. In spite of his awareness that leaving that success would be a sacrifice, he felt called to go to The Virginia Seminary, in Alexandria, VA, to study for the priesthood. His sense of Call emanated from a deep compassion for justice as expressed in that time by Dr. Martin Luther King. He graduated with a Masters in Divinity in 1971 and was ordained to the deaconate and then the priesthood by Bishop William. H. Marmion of Southern Virginia, becoming assistant priest at St. John's Church in Roanoke until he was called to be assistant priest at Christ Church Chapel in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan. After 2 years he was called to serve as rector of St. Peter's Church in Osterville, Massachusetts where he served until 1980. In reflecting on his call to St. Peter's Vincent would talk about the challenge from the parish that his work was to grow it or help it die. His response was that they together would do that and they met the challenge. Then for three years – 1980-1983 – he was Archdeacon of the Diocese of Maine. He relished the travel, in all times of year, around Maine. He recalled many times when he would arrive and need to shovel out the path and build a fire in the church wood stove to be ready for services. From 1983-1989 he was the Rector of St. Andrew's Church, Wellesley, Massachusetts and an active leader in the Diocese of Massachusetts. He spoke often of the outstanding colleagues he worked with there. He said: "when you look for colleagues you need people who have different gifts from yours. I always call people that are smarter than I am."
The Episcopal Diocese of Olympia (the Episcopal Church in Western Washington) elected him Bishop Coadjutor, on the first ballot of the electing convention February. 11, 1989. He served as Coadjutor until January 1, 1990, when, after the retirement of the Diocesan Bishop, Robert Cochrane, Vincent became Diocesan. His official seating at the Cathedral occurred during Cathedral Day, May 19, 1990.
Vincent gathered the clergy together for days of learning, listening and sharing the joys and struggles they experienced in ministry. He gathered the lay leaders of the congregations for annual conferences to support, listen, worship together and learn of their challenges.
Vincent was always, from his positions of leadership, pushing the institutional boundaries toward openness of thought and behavior. He stepped into the challenges of the time in ways that were revolutionary. He was clear about his values and believed in the dignity of human being. He brought people together to solve problems in ways that moved toward being united in meeting challenges. The results often meant many were supportive and many attacked and pushed back.
During his Episcopate Vincent re-engaged with the Ecumenical Leaders of the Seattle area Faith communities. They worked together on efforts of justice and peace. Vincent led delegations to Russia to engage with the Orthodox leadership there. He joined Presiding Bishop Edmond Browning on trips to Palestine and Israel.
The values of Servant Leadership were specifically the values of Vincent's leadership. He collaborated in decisions, engaged with the people on the margins, invited people to work with him based on their skills, not necessarily ordained status. He was passionate about the ministry of everyone and supported the development of congregations where the study of baptismal gifts was the way leadership emerged. Many clergy trained locally and served these congregations, known as Total Ministry congregations.
Vincent served on the Church Deployment Board, the Board for Pastoral Care, and numerous other national Episcopal Church leadership positions. He was a member of the committee of the House of Bishops that wrote the publication: "Continuing the Dialogue, a pastoral study document to the Church as the Church considers Human Sexuality." 1995.
Vincent enjoyed Corvette cars (and others, too). He found them fun to drive as well as being catalysts for conversations with folks across the age spectrum. Vincent was an avid reader of mysteries (Michael Connolly esp.), historical novels. biographies (Willie Nelson and Benjamin Franklin among them). Whatever surface was by his chair or bed, it was usually deep in several books. And always there was a bible at hand, study bibles especially. He was curious and constantly learning. After retirement he picked up his love of painting. When asked about his creations, the comment usually was: "you know, my mother was an artist and always talked about perspective in painting. Sometimes you indicate the scene or object rather than painting it in detail".
Vincent's perspective on leadership, the importance of striving for justice, the fun of working with people of diverse backgrounds and circumstances kept him inquiring about life and people's life stories. He was clear that he loved the work and enjoyed it. He often commented: I take the work seriously, not myself. The frame around his license plate read: Live, Laugh, Love. Enjoy the journey.
On February 8, 2004, Vincent and Shen were married. She supported his leadership in many ways. One of the most important was her emotional support and energy. Vincent and Shen shared similar outlooks on life. They valued being open minded and having strength of ego. They were both interested in artistic endeavors, especially painting, and in developing community. They appreciated each other.
Vincent had a strong body that healed quickly, however, over the last years the various complicated balance of failing kidneys and congestive heart failure led to less and less mobility. He was adamant that he would live out his days in his home. This happened because he and Shen agreed it would, and because her energy, patience, organization and disciplined care of him provided support, medically and emotionally.
The funeral service will be on Saturday, July 13th, at 1pm at Saint Marks Cathedral, 1245 10th Ave., E, Seattle, WA. Prior to the service there will be a Viewing in Thomsen Chapel, adjacent to Saint Marks, from 11am – 12:30pm.
Donations may be made to Huston Camp and Conference Center: www.huston.org; or by check made out to the Diocese of Olympia and mailed to Huston Center, POBox 140, Gold Bar, WA 98251