John L. Warme, Jr. Obituary (1942 - 2022)

John L. Warme, Jr. peacefully passed away Wednesday, June 22 at Harborview Hospital after a long decline in health. At the moment of his death, John's sister, Patricia/Patty and brother in law, Thomas Freeburg were fortunate enough to be with him. In the days after his arrival at the hospital many of John's relatives, in a testament to their devotion and love of John, visited him. Patty and Tom's presence at the time of John's death has been a great consolation and blessing of high value to the rest of the family. John will be dearly missed and remembered. John, born September 19, 1942, was the first child of Pat and John Warme. One favorite boyhood story about John, often retold by his mom and later by his sister Patty, was of "young Johnny" standing on a stump in our back yard pretending to be Fr. Rinn, St Joseph's pastor at the time. Young Johnny was preaching to the congregation. But there's more. At same time, in the same back yard was John's neighborhood friend Stevie. Stevie was also preaching but Stevie was preaching in the manner of his own family's religious pastor - a Jewish rabbi. Albeit, it's true to say, throughout his life John was always a gracious, tolerant, and accepting neighbor. A different incident, at a different time time, involves John and his brother Jim along with the same Stevie. In this incident, the boys were on their way home from swimming in the nearby arboretum. They were accosted by teenage bullies who stole their clothes and bikes. It was a short, embarrassing walk home! Well, John got through his interesting boyhood finishing his elementary education at St. Joseph' Grade School. John then attended O'Dea High School. From there, he served for a time as a Jesuit postulant in Florissant, Missouri. John's faith was always an important part his life and John dearly valued his participation and life time commitment as a parishioner of St. Joseph's Catholic Parish on Capitol Hill. John was always willing to lend a helping hand, often helping seniors move and/or providing transportation to Mass. During his adult life, Dad having passed away, John lived with Mom sharing life with her in the Montlake home on the Mortlake Cut. Especially memorable for us siblings were breakfast times and family gatherings at the family home where John memorialized these events by photographing them with his Sunbeam camera, or was that a Kodak?. Three times during these years John was called on, proudly served, and faithfully fulfilled his special role in the marriages of Patty and his brothers, Jim and Mike. As an adult, John was the favorite uncle of all his nieces and nephews. Eventually, as happens, Mom needed help keeping up with personal care as well as house maintenance and "brother John" or "Uncle John" as we thought of him, steadfastly fulfilled this role - painting, fixing, gardening, doing the works. Especially memorable to our family was John's devotion and attention to Mary, our sister. For years John bussed to Mary's side every week bring her books, news clippings, conversation, and refreshing beverages. On a different note, John was Mr. Dependable. We remember. We can't forget. Usually, when everyone else was in the car ready for a family outing, John took the responsibility on himself to be sure that he was the last to leave the house; this was because he wanted to be sure the house was safe - especially that no one had left the stove on - even if that meant he was going to go back and check gain. . After finishing high school, preparing for his first adult job, John enrolled in barbering school and was successfully awarded the license. But, when an opening in the Seattle Park District became available, John applied realizing that he loved the outdoors that working outdoors had a greater appeal for himself than working indoors. He was hired by the city and so began John's 45-year career beautifying and maintaining the parks of the city he loved, Seattle. He was a proud union member. Recreationally, as a member of the Mountaineers John participated for years in their hikes and activities during his active years. John was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Mary, and his brother James (Jim). John is survived by his brother Michael, his sister Patricia, as well as eleven nieces and nephews, beloved cousins, and many friends. John will be remembered and missed dearly. A Funeral Mass for John will be held on Tuesday July 12th at 11AM, St. Joseph Catholic Church 732 18th Ave. Seattle, WA. A reception and light lunch will follow. Interment at Holyrood Catholic Cemetery. Remembrances may be made in John's name to Suggested donations can be made in John's name to Seattle Parks Foundation or O'Dea High School Fund