Lt. Colonel Donald French Patrick Warrick

 

Lt. Colonel Donald French Patrick Warrick Jr., United States Air Force Reserve, Ret.

Lt. Col. Donald French Patrick Warrick Jr., 71, passed away January 3, 2020 following a pedestrian

accident.

He was a dual resident of Boardman, Ohio and Tampa, Florida. Don (Donnie) was born March 17, 1948,

son of Donald French Warrick Sr. and Florence (Lane) Warrick in Connellsville, Pa. He graduated from

Connellsville High School in 1966, received a BA in Political Science from Youngstown State University in

1970. Don began his 38 year military service in the Army as a Warrant Officer and helicopter pilot from

1970-71. His passion for flying prompted him to join the USAF in 1972. He flew the T-37 and T-38 Talon

on training missions and the C-123 in Vietnam. He entered the 911th Airlift Wing in 1974. His career as a

C-130 pilot was legendary. His incredible self- confidence, calm courageous nature and rugged good

looks inspired the nickname ‘C-130 Steve McQueen’ by fellow Airmen. In 2000-2003 he served as the

911th Airlift Wing Vice Wing Commander. While working in this capacity he initiated and directed the

first Wings Over Pittsburgh Airshow. This spectacular event put the 911th on the map. The airshows have

spanned nearly two decades, growing to become the Air Force Reserve Command’s largest airshow. and

served as benchmark for the other bases’ open house programs. These shows host over 100,000 guests

per weekend event and bolstered USAF recruiting and retention in post 9/11 era. Don was a senior

leader of over 1,500 airmen, community ambassador to other government agencies and local businesses

and a key supporter for community grass roots efforts to keep the 911th open during Base Realignment

and Closure (BRAC) programs. He retired from the Air Force Reserves with extensive flying and

operational accomplishments in 2008.

Don Warrick’s tenacity was rivaled only by his curiosity. Over the past fifty years he wore many hats.

Highly skilled and successful in the medical, food service, financial and aviation industries. He was a

pharmaceutical sales rep / regional manager for Bristol Myers (Ohio), VP of Food Service Division at

Galaxy Foods (Orlando, Fla), Executive Sales Officer at Clover Hills (PA), Transamerica Investment

Advisor (Ohio/Fla), C-130 Instructor Pilot at CAE USA’s Tampa Training Center (Tampa, Fla). He

developed lifelong friendships everywhere he worked. He loved his CAE family and is sorely missed by

his crews from all over the world – especially the Belgian / Poland Airmen whom he fondly referred to as

‘my gritty guys’.

He was an avid golfer, runner and skier. A world traveler, thrill seeker, voracious reader and a diehard

Steeler fan. Don always viewed life through optimistic eyes. He was a man’s man, a positive force,

mentor and role model to many. Quitting was never an option- if there was a will, Don found a way. His

immense love, devotion and adoration for his wife and children were beyond compare. He was a man of

strong faith, integrity and character. Simply stated, ‘He was the best of the best.’ His untimely death is a

great loss and tremendous void.

Don was proceeded in death by his parents, Donald and Florence Warrick and his son, Donald Warrick

III. He is survived by his beloved wife, Elizabeth (LoGiudice) Warrick, his children; Kristie (Joseph)

Remish, Heather Warrick, Crawford Warrick, McCallen Warrick and grandchildren; Joseph, Michael and

Kaitlin Remish. He also leaves behind his heartbroken German Shepherd, Bonnie.

A private memorial service with full military honors is scheduled for a later date.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Fox Funeral Home 4700 Market St. Boardman, Ohio.

 

HIGH FLIGHT

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth

And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;

Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth

Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things

You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung

High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there

I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung

My eager craft through footless halls if air.

Up, up the long delirious burning blue,

I’ve topped the windswept heights with easy grace

Where never lark, or even eagle flew -

And, while with silent lifting mind I’ve trod

The high untresspassed sanctity of space,

Put out my hand and touched the face of God.

                                           Pilot Officer Gillespie Magee

 

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