Joseph B. Warr

Joseph Bennion Warr was born on Mother’s Day, May 9, 1934 in the family home in Beaver, Utah to Morrell and Phylis Swindlehurst Warr. He was welcomed by his siblings, Newell and Mary. His father worked for the Brooklawn Creamery as manager who reopened the old Shepherd Creamery in Beaver. Years working with his Dad at the Creamery and on their small dairy farm instilled in him a love for dairy work. 

Joe loved hunting, fishing, and driving the farm truck as soon as he was old enough to reach the pedals. His family was very close-knit, and he cherished the memories of grandparents, parents, siblings, uncles, aunts and cousins. He loved and appreciated their teaching him through precept and example. At Beaver High, Joe was active in band, school plays, and the FFA. He served as President of the FFA his senior year and won the state competition, all while dating every girl in his Beaver High graduating class. 

At Utah State University, Joe majored in Dairy Production. After two years at USU he served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Central States Mission, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. After his mission, he returned to USU where he was involved in the ROTC, the Utah National Guard, business classes, and being a clerk at the Mitchell Motel. When he was offered a job with Meadow Gold Dairies in Salt Lake City, he accepted the opportunity because it gave him the income he needed to ask his sweetheart to marry him. He married Margaret Ann Larsen July 27, 1960 in the Logan, Utah Temple. 

Shortly after his employment, he was asked to go to Casper, Wyoming to close the books for the Casper Plant. He was then offered the job to be the manager of this plant. He and Margaret decided to accept the offer. During their ten years with Meadow Gold, they added four children to their family: Lauralea (Tim) Moline, Steven Joseph (Jet), Scott Larsen (Donna) and RuthAnn (Ross) Olsen. Joe also had a side business selling campers. He served as a Branch President and Bishop of the Church of Jesus Church of Latter-Day Saints’ Casper 3rd Ward . He also served as Stake President of the Church’s Casper Stake from 1972 to 1982. In 1982 he was ordained as the Stake Patriarch. He served in this position until 2021

Throughout the years of employment and growing children, Joe enjoyed fishing, water skiing, and camping at Alcova Lake. In the winter months, the family enjoyed skiing in various locations in Wyoming, Colorado and Utah. For several years, the family has gathered at the lake for reunions and the annual Rook Tournament. It could be said that Joe never knew a stranger and had friends everywhere. It was always “Pleasure to make your acquaintance, I’m sure”. He amazed us when he found “Beaver friends” in all the places he traveled. 

In the 1970’s, the Meadow Gold plant relocated to the East. Joe then accepted a position with Natrona County School District as purchasing agent. Joe managed food services, the bus garage, laundry, and printing services during his 32 years there. He loved being a bus driver after retirement. 

In 1979, Margaret was struck with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia for which there was no known treatment or cure. Joe’s hardest task, to this point, was saying good-bye to his beloved wife of twenty-one years on November 1, 1981.

On October 9, 1982 he married Janice Ryser in the Logan Temple. In their 42 years of marriage, they added two sons: Mark (Jessica) and Matthew (Cassidy). They saw all six children married. They then welcomed 20 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren (there are more on the way) to the Warr Department. Together, they served as Temple Preparation and Church History teachers. They were also couple service-missionaries at Martin’s Cove for nine years. 

Joe will be remembered as first, a dedicated family man and grandpa; second, an outstanding disciple of Christ, and third, as a diligent employee! He will be missed and never forgotten by all who knew him. Joseph Bennion Warr was our true example.

Joe Warr is survived by his wife Janice and his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren; Lauralea (Tim), Maurie (Brittany), Mckay (Adrian), Desmond, Calvin, Tanner, McKenzie (Jason), Calloway, Saryn (Matthew), Junior, Beau, Steven (Jet), Chaise (Taylor), Rickie, Scott (Donna), Allison (Jordan), Charlie, J.J., Samuel (Megan), Ryan, RuthAnn (Ross), Todd (Kasey), Reyla, Joey (Emily), Maggie (Austin), Abby (David), Mark (Jessica), Nathan, Kaelyn, Logan, Matthew (Cassidy), Adelaide, Ryser, Ellis and several nieces and nephews. 

A funeral service will be held at 2627 E 7th St on January 24th at 10:00 a.m. A viewing will be held at 9:00 AM. For those that are physically unable to attend the funeral, it will be broadcasted through Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/91630673410