Dr. David H. Warren
Deceased: 2023-04-12
Diocese: OWENSBORO
Seminary Graduation Year: 1956
David H. Warren
May 27, 1930 – April 12, 2023
Sacramento, California – DAVID H. WARREN: Beloved Husband, Teacher, Scholar, and Renaissance Man
With the recent death of David H. Warren, the Sacramento area has lost an incredible educational and community treasure.
David H. Warren was born in Paducah, Kentucky on May 27, 1930, to Nila and David Warren. He had two older sisters, Jane and Maudellene, who preceded him in death.
He attended Saint Charles and Saint Mary Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland graduating in 1952. David was offered a scholarship to earn his master’s and doctorate degrees at the Pontifical North American College Seminary in Rome, Italy. He was mentored by Archbishop Montini, who eventually became a cardinal and ultimately, Pope Paul VI. David was ordained a Roman Catholic priest at the Vatican in 1955.
David served as a priest for five years in Henderson, Kentucky where he was the Superintendent of a Kentucky Catholic School District. Then he became a parish priest in Whitesville, Kentucky. David developed a strong desire to help people in need, regardless of their background. It was not uncommon for him to ride a horse or motorcycle to reach some of his most isolated parishioners. During his tenure as a priest in Kentucky, David was bestowed with the honor of a becoming a Kentucky Colonel by the Governor of Kentucky; he was especially proud of this.
In 1967, David came to the realization that, while he was devoutly religious, he did not want to lead the single life of a Catholic priest. With papal permission, David was released from his priestly vows and left the priesthood. He moved to Sacramento and found a job teaching in a junior high. In 1969, he was hired by Sacramento City College to teach Humanities classes. He eventually became chairman of that department. During his tenure at SCC, it is estimated that David taught over 78,000 students.
David met the love of his life, Lois Franke, in Florence, Italy in 1970 and they married in 1971. Theirs’ is a love story for the ages and one they happily retold to all. David and Lois’ love and marriage lasted 43 years with Lois preceding David in death in 2013. Because of their passion for travel, art and history, David and Lois formed DavLo Tours. Together they led over 50 international tours as well as many “local” ones to the major museums in San Francisco and Los Angeles. David and Lois were also very involved members of the Creative Arts League of Sacramento.
David was always concerned about his students, especially those in financial need. He both solicited financial support for these students and often personally helped them without any public recognition. This eventually led David and his wife, Lois, to establish the SCC David and Lois Warren Scholarship. David retired from SCC in 1993.
After David’s retirement, he continued to teach semester seminars for the Renaissance Society at California State University, Sacramento from 2003 to 2022. In the fall of 2022 at age 92, he taught both his last class and led his last tour to the de Young Museum in San Francisco.
David did not want people to feel any sadness about his death. He believed he led a marvelous life filled with wonderful and fantastic experiences. He viewed his body only as a physical vessel for his soul. Always true to his incredibly generous nature and thoughtful spirit, David donated his body to the University of California, Davis Medical School. In his final directive document, David wrote: “Death is a new beginning of life for me with the love of my life, Lois Franke Warren. It is time for Lois and me to reunite.”
He is survived by the following immediate family members: Melinda Hampton, Margaret Knupp, Michael Shields, Marty Wade, Dorothea Weyers and Carol Susan Zook. David also leaves behind many dear friends including Frank Boyden, Maggie Brady, Tom English, Allan Keown, John Ruden, Cory & Wolfgang Smith, Terry Tough, and David & Deanna Vincze. He was also very close to many of his South Land Park neighbors.
A Memorial Service for David will take place on Saturday, May 27, at 2:00 PM at Trinity Cathedral, 2620 Capitol Avenue, Sacramento, CA. Immediately following is a reception in the Trinity’s Great Hall. In lieu of flowers and per David’s wishes, donations can be made in his name to any charity of your choice.
