Gene Warr

Gene Warr was born on February 15, 1924, in Yukon, Oklahoma to C.B. Warr, a prominent land developer, and Theopa Warr. Gene lived in Yukon and Oklahoma City until the age of thirteen, when he went to the Oklahoma Military Academy in Claremore. After graduating from the academy, Gene entered into active military service with the United States Army, where he served as a reconnaissance officer in General George S. Patton's Third Army during the Second World War, participating in the liberation of Germany and Czechoslovakia. Gene was honorably discharged from the army in 1946 with the rank of Captain. Upon his return from the war, Gene began to work for his father in the family real estate business. Together, Gene and his father built the expansive housing development that would, in 1948, become the city of Warr Acres. Gene also worked with his father in the construction of the Mayfair Shopping Center at NW 50th and May, the last phases of which Gene completed after his father died in 1958. Gene continued to run the business after his father's death, building homes and commercial buildings, until his retirement in 2001. As successful as Gene was in business, nothing was more important to him than his relationship with Jesus Christ. Gene made the decision to give his life to Christ in 1947, and from that time forward, obeying and pleasing God became his great passion and overarching priority. By his own admission, Gene's business was not first, or even second in his life. His priorities were, in this order, (1) God (2) his family and (3) his business. Gene understood that loving God requires loving people, and so he devoted a great deal of his energy pouring his life into the lives of others. Gene spent countless hours mentoring young Christians, leading Bible studies, teaching Sunday school and delivering sermons and workshops at Christian gatherings. Gene enjoyed a particularly fruitful relationship with two organizations, The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and the Navigators, a Christian discipleship ministry headquartered in Colorado Springs, CO. In 1956, Gene was asked to make the stadium arrangements for the Oklahoma City Graham Crusade. By working with the Graham team during that crusade, Gene met friends and spiritual mentors he would keep throughout his life. Gene learned from one Graham team member in particular how to spend time each day praying and reading the Bible, a discipline that he credited for revolutionizing his relationship with Christ. For many years, Gene would take weeks away from his family and business to train the counselors who stand down front and receive people who respond to the invitation at Billy Graham crusades. Gene came to know the Navigators through their founder, Dawson Trotman, and saw in their relational, discipleship-based model of ministry a way to shape strong and committed warriors for Christ. Although never a member of the Navigator staff, Gene was the spiritual father of the Navigator ministry in Oklahoma City, and many, many Navigators point to Gene as the foundation of their Christian training. At 1:30 am, November 23, 2006, Gene Warr went home to be with his Lord after a long illness. While to some Gene's death may seem to be an end, in fact, it is only the beginning for Gene. Gene's entire life was lived in anticipation of the day when he would stand before God and hear the words of his Master: 'Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord.' Even though Gene's life on earth has come to an end, he has only just begun an eternity of standing in the presence of the God of Hosts, joining in the unending hymn of praise and adoration that is offered at His throne. Gene is survived by his wife Irma, his sons Kevin, Kyle and Kory, his daughters from his first family, Kate Rutledge, Genese Leeper and Mary Beth Salazar, daughter-in-law Christi Warr, grandchildren Braylon, Lauren, Kasie and Jacob Warr, Rob and T. J. Leeper, Mindy Hawkins and her husband Monty, and great-grandson Carson Hawkins. Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C. 28201, the Navigators, P.O. Box 6000, Colorado Springs, CO 80934, or the Jesus Film Project, P.O. Box 72007, San Clemente, CA 92674-2007. A private, graveside service will be held Tuesday. A public memorial service will be held at 10:00 am, December 9, 2006 at Covenant Community Church, 2250 N. Mustang Road, Yukon, OK. MERCER-ADAMS