Richard Randall Warmack

RICHARD RANDALL WARMACK
Richard Randall Warmack, born September 23,1924,
and lifetime Oroville resident, passed February 16,
2024, surrounded by his family.
He was a loving husband, devoted father, joyous
grandfather and great-grandfather. He will be
missed by them all.
Richard led an amazing life, living to 99 years 4
months and 24 days. He graduated from Oroville
High School after which he served in the U.S. Marine
Corp during World War II. As a Radio Operator in the
JASCO unit, 4th Division in the Pacific, Richard
fought in the battles of Roi and Namur, Kwajalein,
Marshall Islands, Saipan, Tinian, and lastly Iwo Jima.
After the war, Richard returned to Oroville and
became a partner in the family store, “Warmack’s”,
with his father Randall. Richard took over entirely in
the early 70’s, shepherding it through many
economic shifts and the ever-changing consumer
landscape by focusing on customer experience and
adjusting his offerings. Richard was a leader in the
Downtown Merchants Association until his
retirement in 1989 and a Past President of the
Oroville Exchange Club.
In 1963, Richard married his beloved Jane and
became cherished and appreciated father to Jane’s
four children in addition to his daughters Rhonda
and Candis whom he loved dearly.
Richard was a relentlessly curious man and loved
reading the Wall Street Journal, Discover Magazine,
Scientific American, National Geographic, Consumer
Reports, and any book or magazine related to his
current interest. Whatever he was interested in, he
went full tilt and loved sharing his knowledge and
creativity. He was an avid chess and tennis player.
He dabbled in water color painting (helpful when his
daughter needed inspiration in high school art
class).
He dove into sailing (with first mate, Jane),
motorcycle riding, computers, woodworking, and
even made his own arrows when teaching his son
archery. He was an audio geek, and in the 60’s,
made his own stereo speakers and wired the entire
house so music could be played anywhere by

flipping a switch for the desired room.
Richard also became an outstanding photographer
(turning one of the “clutter closets” into a darkroom
for developing his own pictures), and started his
own photo card company, “Warmack’s
Photographic Adventures.” His cards featured his
own and his wife’s beautiful photographs of the
local Butte County area and their beloved Tahoe,
which were sold locally and all around Lake Tahoe.
Some of his photos went on to become dramatic
enlargements that grace the walls of several
homes.
Richard had a wonderful sense of humor and could
always make people laugh with his quick wit, which
he never lost, even on his last day: When the nurse
asked him if he needed anything, he said “I would
like some wine, just a small amount.” Unfortunately,
the nursing staff did not have any, so a nurse gave
him a sip of water. His response was, “That’s not
wine!” and chuckled.
Richard is preceded in death by his father and
mother, Randall Edward Warmack and Florence
Josephine Richardson Warmack, as well as his
younger brother, Lorence “Larry” Ben Warmack.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Jane
Warmack; six children and their spouses: Catherine
(Francisco), Joan (Charles), Carl (Pamela), and
Willow (David); two daughters from his first
marriage: Rhonda and Candis; 14 grandchildren and
7 great-grandchildren; and two nephews Mark
Warmack and Jay Warmack. Richard’s nephew, Mark,
in a testament to Richard’s legacy said, “He is a great
man, a very strong role model. A monument to
humility, wisdom, and grace... and we were all so
lucky to have him.”
A memorial service will be held at the Grey Fox
Vineyards in Oroville at 2:30 pm on Friday, April 5.

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