Franklin John Warren, Jr., 79, of Ione, CA left us peacefully for golf courses without green fees on Wednesday, July 25th. When Frank was first diagnosed with lung cancer on July 28, 2017 his niece came up with the saying: Put on your boots… It’s time to kick this “C” to the curb! Family and friends used this saying throughout the treatments to support him in his fight.
Frank was born in Chickasha, OK to Franklin John Warren, Sr. and Florita (Moody) Cordova on May 10, 1939. He was proud of his Chacktaw Indian heritage and encouraged his children and grandchildren to register for their American Indian status.
As a young child, Frank’s family moved from Oklahoma to California. His stepdad, Pete Cordova, followed work to the mining towns of Jerome and Bagdad, Arizona. At the age of 17 in 1956 Frank joined the U.S. Navy just at the onset of the Vietnam War. He and his company were expecting to be sent there. Instead, he ended up being stationed with the 1st Marine Brigade as a Navy Corpsman with the Marines in Kaneohe, Hawaii.
In the mid 60’s Frank moved to Fresno where his retail career in the shoe business began. Not too many years later, he and Janett, the mother of his children, moved to Manteca. While in Manteca he was young and energetically involved in many of the community and business organizations some of which included the Neighborhood Watch program, youth sports organizations, Downtown Business Association, Chamber of Commerce positions and Manteca Lions service club. In later years he was instrumental in building Cottage Car Wash. Frank was involved in the creation and opening of the Manteca OakBarn and at the time of his passing he was a partner of Manteca BedQuarters. This longtime downtown businessman was the city’s third directly elected mayor; serving as Mayor of Manteca from 1990-1994.
In 2003, Frank moved to Ione, CA. His bucket list item to live in a golf course community was fulfilled. He and Conni have traveled the world, supported their families by attending countless sporting events and enjoyed socializing with a wide circle of friends for four months short of 25 years. Their golf clubs were always with them on several road trips they have taken. When not golfing, they enjoyed international destinations near and far. So much to see and so little time. Frank was a member of the Castle Oaks Sr. Men’s Golf Club.
Frank leaves his wife, soulmate, and friend Conni Warren, his children, Franklin Warren, III (Kathy) of Escalon, Ronda Gunderson of Manteca and Robert Warren, brothers, James Cordova (Fawn) of Spring Creek, NV, John Warren of Manteca and sister, Fran Lane of Manteca, sister-in-law, Cheryl Cordova of Dewey, AZ, grandchildren Glenda, Jennie, and Glen Gunderson; Franklin IV, Brian, and Nick Warren; great grandchildren Ezekiel and Logan Robles, brothers and sister-in-law, Ken Wudel (Brenda) and Wayne Wudel both of Lodi. Several nieces, nephews and great nieces, nephews and great, great nieces, nephews in both his and Conni’s families.
Although we will always miss him, one of the things that Frank did best was bring us together. Your support during his last year helped us through a difficult journey. Please join us for Frank’s Celebration of Life on Saturday, August 4, at 4:00, Castle Oaks Golf Course, 1000 Castle Oaks Drive, Ione. Come “kick” it at the club.
We would like to extend a special thank you to Amador STARS, a local non-profit organization that provides cancer patients FREE rides in the cancer vans driven by volunteers to any treatments or appointments. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent in Frank’s name to Amador STARS, P.O. Box 208, Jackson, CA 95642 or online at www.amadorstars.org
Manteca/Ione
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Thursday, August 2, 2018
