Ray Milton Warren Sr

Mr. Ray Milton Warren age 65 of North Wilkesboro and Laurel Springs, NC, died on Wednesday, June 3, 2015 at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX. Mr. Warren was born on November 17, 1949 in Winston Salem, NC to Charlie Raymond and Ruth Nichols Warren. Mr. Warren was preceded in death by his parents.

Mr. Warren was a graduate of West Wilkes High School, received his Associates of Arts degree from Wilkes Community College, and received his Bachelor's degree, Master's Degree, and Education Specialist degree all from Appalachian State University. He started his career at Sherwin Williams in North Wilkesboro while working his way through school. He eventually opened his own paint, wall covering, and floor covering store in North Wilkesboro before the age of 25. He continued this business until accepting the Intramural Sports Director Position at the University of California at Los Angeles in the late 1970's. He worked at U.C.L.A. through the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympics. He helped coordinate Olympic events held on U.C.L.A.'s campus, most notably the Men's and Women's Gymnastic competitions.

Upon returning to Wilkes County he accepted the position of Dean of Student Affairs at The Patterson School in Lenoir, NC. Following that he worked in the Wilkes County school system for several years. For the past 25 years he was owner of Blue Chip Associates and Ray Warren Agency, both independent insurance agencies. He has been a top producer for American Republic Health Insurance, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC, and Conseco Insurance Company.

Mr. Warren was very involved in the community, being a past member of Cricket Volunteer Fire Dept. throughout the 1970's until moving to Los Angeles, past member of the Wilkes Civitan Club and was 1976 member of the year, past member of the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association, member of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics and served on the Board of Directors of the American Children's Home in Lexington, NC, member of the North Wilkesboro Elk's Lodge #1846 serving as Secretary for several years, long time member of Union United Methodist Church in North Wilkesboro and current member of West Jefferson United Methodist Church.

Graveside services will be held on Monday, June 15, 2015 at 1:00 pm at Mountlawn Memorial Park, in North Wilkesboro by Rev. Dr. Perry Miller, and Rev. Ron Overcash. A reception will follow at the Wesley Outreach Center on Boone Trail in Millers Creek.

Mr. Warren is survived by: son, Ray Warren, Jr. of North Wilkesboro, NC, two grandchildren, Ray Milton Warren, III (Trey) and Chloe Elisabeth Warren both of North Wilkesboro, his wife, Mary Sue Warren of Laurel Springs, NC, one step daughter, Robin Shuping and husband Kevin of Winston Salem and two step grandchildren, Kaitlin and Austin. Pallbearers are, Rex A. Nichols, John D. Nichols, James H. Nichols, Allen L. Nichols, Gary P. Warren and Lynn Warren.

The family respectfully requests no food or flowers please; memorials may be made to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, Texas 77210-4486, or to West Jefferson United Methodist Church, PO Box 826, West Jefferson, North Carolina 28694.

Words of comfort and remembrance may be viewed or sent to the family through our website at www.ashelawn.com.

Ashelawn Memorial Chapel & Gardens was entrusted with Mr. Warren's arrangements.

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