John William Warner (Jack), age 84, died peacefully in his sleep on September 22, 2026. He was a loving son to his parents, John and Dorothy Warner, who preceded him in death; caring big brother to his siblings, Linda Weller and Mark Warner; a wonderful dad to his two children, Kyle Warner and Kirsten Dillman (and son-in-law Blake Dillman); and a fabulous grandpa to his four grandchildren, Carson and Griffin Dillman, and Jack and Sadie Warner. And most important to him of all, he was an adoring husband to his wife, Mary Warner, who he would have celebrated his 59th wedding anniversary with this week.

He was a wanderer and explorer, who spread his love of exploration to his wife, kids and grandkids. In college, he turned a two month summer break into an eight month long trek across Europe and north Africa. After meeting the love of his life at San Jose State University in California in 1962, he served as a lieutenant in the Navy, piloting such planes as the T-28 and Grumman S-2. Among his favorite stories to tell were his experiences taking off from and landing onto aircraft carriers, and how especially harrowing and exhilarating it was to do at night. He married his love in 1967 and together they traveled all across the world, once leaving the states for a year and a half long adventure that included an overland safari through Africa (and getting lost in the Sahara desert for three days), climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, staying for a month in the Seychelles, going behind the iron curtain in Russia and East Germany, and exploring all across Europe. Later in life, his travels included China, Japan, Egypt, Iceland, the Galapagos Islands, and Machu Picchu in Peru.

He was an entrepreneur, owning several of his own businesses, including his construction company in the mountains of Santa Cruz, California, where the two settled down and raised their children in the home that he built.. After retiring, they moved to be near their first grandchildren, finally settling in Banner Elk in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.

In addition to his lifelong love of travel, he enjoyed playing tennis and skiing well into his late 70’s; he savored great jazz, good books and dark chocolate, and most of all he loved spending time with his family, especially with his wife who still made him light up every time he saw her, even after more than 60 years together.

He was a kind, smart, honest and funny man, who we will miss immensely, but we are grateful for all of the time we had with him and the amazing memories we will hold onto.

Online condolences may be sent to the Warner family at wwww.hamptonfuneralnc.com

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.