RAYMOND RUSSELL

WARNER

Raymond Russell Warner was born on November 27th, 1933, in Melvern, Kansas, to Russell and Ruth Warner. He passed away on November 11th, 2026, in Ottawa, Kansas.

Raymond attended Melvern High School before continuing his education at Washburn University and later Washburn University School of Law. He became the youngest person in the state of Kansas to pass the bar examination and went on to maintain his law license in Kansas for nearly 60 years.

On July 29th, 1956, Raymond married Barbara (Tyson) Warner. Together, they shared nearly 68 years of marriage, spending almost every moment by one another’s side until Barbara preceded him in death.

Raymond enlisted in the Kansas National Guard, where he served as a small arms repairman. However, as military service often goes, his work extended well beyond small arms to include 105 mm and 155 mm howitzers. While stationed at Aberdeen Proving Ground, he also worked on the M55 280 mm atomic cannon, famously known as “Atomic Annie.” Raymond was also a competitive marksman and proudly shot on the Kansas State Rifle Team.

Raymond and Barbara welcomed their son, Russell, in 1960, followed by two grandchildren, Destinee in 1995 and Frank in 2001. They were a daily presence in their grandchildren’s lives, creating a lifetime of memories and sharing in the everyday moments that meant so much to their family.

Outside of his professional and military accomplishments, Raymond enjoyed hunting, spending time at the family farm, writing poetry and short stories, caring for animals, and learning about history. He especially loved the holidays and looked forward to Christmas each year. Among his favorite Christmas movies were A Christmas Carol and Elf.

Raymond is survived by his son, Russell and Maureen (Larkin) Warner of Melvern; his grandchildren, Destinee Warner of Ottawa and Frank Warner and Danielle Smart of Melvern; and many dear friends who, over the years, became family.

Raymond will be remembered as a kind, honest, and hardworking man who believed in treating others with dignity, fairness, and respect. His generosity, quiet strength, and ability to see the good in others left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him.

His legacy is not measured solely by his accomplishments, but by the life he lived, the family he loved, and the countless lives he touched along the way. The values he carried throughout his life will continue through the generations of family and friends who loved him.

Funeral services for Raymond will be held at 11:30am on Wednesday, November 18, at the Melvern United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the Melvern Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:30pm on Tuesday at the Feltner Funeral Chapel in Lyndon. Memorial contributions in memory of Raymond may be made to the Melvern Community Center or the National Rifle Association, sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Avenue, Lyndon, KS 66451. Online condoelnces for the family may be left at feltnerfuneralhome.com.