Warren John "John, Johnny, Pops, Papa and Roy" Arbour

WARREN JOHN ARBOUR
February 23, 1932 ˜ May 26, 2024

Warren “John” Arbour, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away May 26, 2024, at the age of 92. Warren was born in Plaquemine, LA, Feb. 23, 1932, to Warren B. and Mattie Arbour. Johnny was the baby of the bunch with two older sisters, Mary and Ruth.

John made his way to Vancouver, WA, with his parents and sisters when he was three years old. The story is that John rode much of the way from Louisiana to Washington with his head out the window standing up with such excitement.

Soon thereafter, his sister, Mary, met a wonderful man, Uncle Max, the brother he never had, who became his very best friend. Uncle Max taught John how to drive and how to play card games in Reno.

After graduating from Fort Vancouver High School in 1949, John went to work for one year, and then entered the National Guard. After one year of service in the Guard, he immediately enlisted into the Air Force, and he was given the honor of Airman of the Month.

John was introduced to his soon-to-be wife, Pearl Kowing, and they were married at St. James Catholic Church Jan. 26, after which they had two children, Steven and Julie Arbour.

John, now called “Papa,” welcomed his grandson, Chase, and could not get enough of hanging out with him in the big chair. His quiet, comforting, goofy nature was and is to this day the thing that Chase adores so much about his papa.

John and Pearl enjoyed 61 years of marriage with an incredible 50-year celebration with friends and family at the Quay overlooking the beautiful Columbia River.

After purchasing a share of the Vancouver Plywood Mill from his father, he worked on the greenchain until he retired. Not being one to sit still ... he went right back to work for Family Physicians Group as a courier until he officially retired at the age of 85.

Warren was known as John, but also as Johnny, Pops, Papa and “Roy” as in “Roy Rogers.”

We are all going to miss you so much ... Until we meet again.

We will be having a celebration of life at Evergreen Memorial Gardens, June 21 at 12:30 p.m. All are welcome!

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