Warren Channing Lefebvre

1929 - 2017

Lefebvre, Warren Channing
August 31, 1929 - May 9, 2017
Warren Channing Lefebvre, lovingly known as Chan, passed away in his home in Newport Beach, California on Tuesday, May 9, 2017 surrounded by his loved ones. Loved by all for his warmth, kindness, and the respectful way he treated others, Chan was born in Phoenix, Arizona on August 31, 1929.
The oldest son of William Clayton (Curley) Lefebvre and Pauline Estelle Davenport Lefebvre, Chan was proud of his father Curley who was a Commander in the U.S. Navy in World War II. Curley came to Arizona in 1909 and was instrumental in the growth of the city, having served as the State Highway Engineer, Chief of Police, City Engineer, Phoenix City Manager and Phoenix Postmaster. Chan shared many fond memories of growing up in the desert with his sister Marcia Lefebvre Haxton and brother Eugene Davenport Lefebvre. They also had a little brother Clayton who died at 2 years old.
After attending North Phoenix High School, Chan graduated from the University of Arizona with a bachelor's degree in engineering. Soon after, he enlisted in the United States Army and became a Second Lieutenant and part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the Korean War. He married his first wife Ellen Barker in 1952, and they had two children Laura and Maxwell Clayton "Clay".
In 1966, Chan met Parisian Marie-France Ollagnier after being set up on a blind date by mutual friends. They were married the following year and moved to Lido Island in Newport Beach, where they raised their two children Channing and Sophie. Chan and Marie-France would have celebrated 50 years of marriage on June 26, 2017.
Early in his career, Chan was district engineer at Shell Oil in Los Angeles, where he met his longtime friend and business partner James Dobrott. Chan went on to work at the Rinker Company as a partner developing gas stations and retail centers. After Harry Rinker sold the company to W.R. Grace, Chan and Jim bought it back. Chan then become Chairman of the Board of W.R. Grace Development Company, which, at the time, was one of the largest shopping center developers in the western United States. In 1985, Chan retired from W.R. Grace to focus on his personal investments, travel, and spending time with his family.
At heart, Chan was a sailor, arts and classical music enthusiast, nature lover, world traveler, avid reader, history buff, and always, ALWAYS put his family first. A longtime member of the Newport Harbor Yacht Club, he loved spending time on his boats in Moonstone Cove on Catalina Island.
With his gorgeous blue eyes, Chan greeted everyone with a warm smile, big hug or strong handshake. Extremely loyal, personable, and generous, he was genuinely interested in others, a great conversationalist, respected for his hard work and strong work ethics, and admired for his intelligence, wealth of knowledge, insatiable desire to learn and for his modesty and humility. Adored by his family, Chan was his children's and grandchildren's greatest teacher, cheerleader, and inspiration, and he always expressed his pride and love. He stood up for what was right, rooted for the underdog, and helped the less fortunate.
Chan is preceded in death by his sister Marcia Lefebvre Haxton (d. 2016), daughter Laura Marshall Wells (d. 1992), son Maxwell Clayton Lefebvre (d. 2012) and granddaughter Jessica Pauline Wells (d. 2013). He is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years Marie-France Lefebvre, brother Eugene Davenport Lefebvre (Sue), his son Channing Alain Lefebvre (Jennifer), daughter Sophie Lefebvre Kubichek, daughter-in-law Rose Hodgerson Lefebvre and grandchildren Jason, Jimmy, Megan, Madeline, Jonathan, Jake, Mason and Benjamin and great-grandchildren Gavin, Chelsea and Emma, as well as many nephews and nieces.
A private interment will be held at Pacific View Memorial Park. The Celebration of Chan's Life will be held Thursday, May 25th at 2:00pm at the Balboa Yacht Club, 1801 Bayside Drive in Corona del Mar. Friends are welcome. Nautical attire encouraged.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in his memory to the Boys Scouts of America Orange County Council (ocbsa.org) or to the Orange County Alzheimer's Association (http://www.alz.org/oc/).