Richard (Rick) Grady Warren, age 83, died quietly on October 13, 2025, at his longtime home in the Calhoun Community of Laurel, Mississippi. Born in Laurel on July 18, 1942, to Vada Genell and Harold Grady Warren, Rick was a lifetime resident of Jones County.

A member of the US Air Force from 1961-1965, Rick served stateside before being called for a one-year tour of duty in Vietnam after which he returned home to his family and study. He was always immensely grateful for the G.I. Bill, which enabled him to earn both undergraduate and master's degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. His last position before an early retirement was as a buyer with the Masonite Corporation in Laurel.

He is preceded in death by his dear mother, Vada Genell Smith Pearson and his stepfather, Haskell Lofton Pearson of Laurel, MS; his birth father, Harold Grady Warren of Texas; his nephew, Michael L. Warren of Snellville, GA, and most recently his wife of 50 years, Mildred Thornton Warren of Laurel, MS, who died in 2023.

He is survived by his first wife Freddye Kay Warren of Laurel, MS, whom he credited with tremendous support during his college years, and their three children, Marsha Warren of  Somerville, MA; Rhonda Warren Reeves (Graham) of Ellisville, MS; and Richard (Eddie) Warren (Margie) of Laurel, MS; his "best bud" and brother Michael Warren (Kathy) of Snellville, GA; his three grandsons, Christopher Warren (Amy) of Laurel, MS, Alex Reeves (Swayze) of Madison, MS, Chad Warren (Ashley) of Dunbar, WY, and eight grandchildren, two nephews, one niece and her children.

Rick will be sorely missed but cherished daily in memories of the many wonderful years he shared with all of us—including, we imagine, by Bo, his favorite and most loyal companion in the two years since his wife's death. Bo grew up and grew old alongside Rick for the last thirteen and a half years. He was a support dog before we knew what "support dogs" were.

Rick loved his wife deeply and until the very end was the proud, supportive cheerleader for his three adult children as they made their way in the world. He was one of a kind and we all carry with us the very best of who he was. Graveside services were held privately, as Rick had lived his life, on October 16, 2025, at First Baptist Calhoun Church Cemetery in Laurel, Mississippi. Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Laurel managed the arrangements.