August 17, 1946 - January 29, 2013
Col. Philip Hargett Warren, Sr.
(USAF and NJANG retired)
Pittsboro
Col. Philip Hargett Warren, Sr., 66, of Pittsboro, died unexpectedly January 29, 2013, in route to a bird watching trip in New Jersey. His distinguished military career spanned over 30 years of service to the state of New Jersey and our nation. He attended pilot training in 1969 at Williams AFB, AZ, and graduated in 1970 with his wings. He then traveled the world fulfilling assignments at Castle AFB in CA, McCoy AFB in FL, Kadena AB in Okinawa, Plattsburgh AFB in NY and McGuire AFB in NJ. He also served in many other temporary duty assignments throughout the globe. As a skilled pilot and leader, he held positions as an instructor/evaluator pilot, Operations Officer, Squadron Commander and Vice Wing Commander. Col Warren is a Vietnam and Desert Storm Veteran. He was also a commercial airline pilot. Phil began his career with Eastern Air Lines in 1978 then moved to Piedmont Airlines in 1985. He retired in 2006 as a Captain after flying with US Airways for 16 years.
Born in Greenville, North Carolina on August 17, 1946, Col. Warren was a son of Norman Earl Warren and Nancy Hargett Harris Warren. He was a 1968 North Carolina State graduate in Wildlife Biology, a faithful Wolfpack fan and a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. He earned a Masters degree from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh.
Phil was a man of many hobbies. He loved to bird watch, kept a life list, and would travel, whenever possible, to see rare birds. He enjoyed the Carolina Bird Club and participated in yearly avian counts in various counties. He biked the hills of Chatham County and savored these bicycling adventures taking great pleasure in his final mileage tallies. But most important to him was his love of God and family. He was dedicated in serving his church as an Elder, a teacher and an encourager. Phil delighted in his family and grandchildren. He took great pleasure in teaching the grandkids about nature. He was an enthusiastic reader, fisherman, and gourmet coffee drinker. Phil lived life to the fullest with an optimistic spirit.
Col. Warren is survived by his mother, Nancy Warren Wilkerson of Raleigh; his wife of 43 years, Jean Stevenson Warren; his son, Philip H. Warren Jr., and wife, Nila, and their sons, Matthew and Trent, all of Apex; his daughter, Robin Warren Goss, and husband, Chris, and their children Rachel and Brandon, all of Holly Springs; and also by his brother, Norman Ray Warren, and wife, Kathy of Fayetteville; and sister, Ellen Warren Hinton, and husband Don of Raleigh.
A memorial service celebrating the life of Phil Warren will be held at two
o'clock in the afternoon, Saturday, February 9, 2013 at Chapel Hill Bible
Church.
Friends may visit with the family at a reception following the service. In lieu
of flowers, the family asks that gifts be made to Chapel Hill Bible Church, in
memory of Phil Warren. They can be sent to Chapel Hill Bible Church, 260 Erwin
Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27512.
Online condolences may be left at www.hallwynne.com, select "Obits / Guestbook" then "Current Services".
Arrangements for Col. Warren are under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service and Cremation of Pittsboro.
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