Fred George Warneke
Mar 6, 1939 – Dec 6, 2024

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Fred George Warneke. He left this world peacefully on Friday, December 6, 2024, at North Okaloosa Hospital in Crestview, Florida, surrounded by his loving family.

Fred was born on March 6, 1939, in Portland, Oregon, to Marjorie Aletha Neumeister and Frank Conrad Warneke. He was raised in Newport Beach, Oregon, by his mother and stepfather, Eugene Frank. As a spirited young man, he created quite a stir in the community and moved from school to school until he ultimately joined the military, where he earned his GED.

Fred proudly enlisted in the United States Navy, serving honorably for four years. He took great pride in protecting his country and often reflected on his time in service, wishing he had chosen to extend his commitment. After returning from the Navy, he settled back in Portland, where fate introduced him to the love of his life, Juanita Sue Fabian. He first spotted her while she was strolling through the park, and working at The Cosmopolitan at the time, he confidently declared to a coworker, "See that blonde girl? I'm going to marry her!" True to his word, they tied the knot in November 1964.

Fred was a remarkably creative, smart, brave and adventurous spirit who made the most of his 85 years. His first love was Juanita, but his second passion was photography, in which he truly thrived. He grasped the science of photography while possessing the artistic talent to capture truly stunning, captivating images. Fred pursued a career as a professional photographer for a while and it remained one of his favorite hobbies throughout his life.

Fearless in his pursuit of new experiences, Fred thrived on being part of something greater than himself. He made history working at Boeing, playing an important role in the construction and completion of the Aero Spacelines Super Guppy, a groundbreaking cargo aircraft that paved the way for innovative advancements in aviation. In recognition of his dedication and hard work, Boeing rewarded Fred with two round-trip tickets for a vacation in Paris, France.

An entrepreneur at heart, Fred boldly embarked on a new adventure in restaurant ownership by acquiring a Mr. Steak franchise in Portland. His enthusiasm for exploring new opportunities never diminished. After selling the restaurant, he felt the call of the sea once more and, alongside his good friend Wayne, he made the courageous leap into the fishing industry by purchasing a vessel named the Mary J. They spent a couple years selling their catch to markets along the historic shores of Depoe Bay all the way down to the California Bayfront, relishing the long days on the open ocean. Unfortunately, as government regulations increasingly curtailed fishing seasons, many in the industry were forced out. Fred sold the Mary J on its very first day listed.
One of Fred's most ambitious adventures was a month-long trip to Spain, where he explored the possibility of investing in a leather business. Although the venture didn't materialize, he and Juanita enjoyed every moment, and had the time of their lives.

Fred eagerly took the family on countless trips, creating cherished memories along the way. Our most treasured moments were spent along the Oregon coast, where we raced over sandy dunes on three-wheelers and scoured the tide pools for sea urchins, starfish, and sand dollars. We also enjoyed thrilling ski trips to Mt Hood and Mt. Bachelor, often filled with exhilarating snowmobiling, skiing, and tubing adventures. Our family camping excursions, whether on the beach or in the mountains, were accompanied by endless fishing trips—though we never seemed to catch much!

As the years went by, Fred's interests evolved towards horsemanship, and he became a skilled equestrian. He relished taking his horses to the Manzanita Horse Park and Stay every Tuesday and Wednesday with his wife, exploring hundreds of scenic trails across Oregon and Washington and watching the sun go down together. Fred loved his 7-acre property in Yacolt, WA where he and Juanita lived for over 20 years with their beloved horses, cats and dogs.

It was fate that united Fred and Juanita, and they were blessed to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on November 20, 2024.

Fred is survived by his devoted wife, Juanita; daughter, Laura; son, Kurt; grandsons, Chase, Parker, Mackenzie, and Connor; niece, Janis; nephew, Bruce; great granddaughter, Bella; great grandson, Bentley; and also survived by numerous great nieces and nephews. Fred will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Celebration of Life services will be held at a later date in his honor. Rest in peace, Fred. You will forever live on in our hearts.