John (Pat) Helmick Warren

John Helmick Warren, affectionately known as “Pat” to all who knew him, passed away peacefully on March 19, 2025, in Rockville, MD. Born November 17, 1930, in Richmond, VA to John L. and Fanny (Helmick) Warren, who divorced when he was young. Pat lived with one parent or the other, moving frequently until he quit school and lived on his own at 14, working at Lowes Capital Theatre until he joined the U.S. Navy at 17. He served on board the U.S.S. Borie, DD704. For his service, he received the Korean Service Medal and the Navy Occupation Service Medal with an Asian and European clasp. Honorably discharged in May 1952, Pat moved back to NW Washington, D.C., and found work as an electrician on the railroads for Washington Terminal Company (WATC). A proud and dedicated veteran, he was a member of the American Legion and a past Post Commander of Post 41 (Cissel-Saxon), and honored to be a Lifetime Member of V.F.W. Post 2464.

 Pat was an amazing and amusing man and a devoted and loving father to David (Duffy), Vicki, and Mitzi Warren; grandfather to Jaime Warren Serbin, Diana Smith, and Austin Koutavas; great-grandfather to Avery and Eliana Smith; brother to Madeline Benedick, uncle to Ray Benedick and Ron Smith, and cousin/best friend to Doris Satterwhite. Retired as an industrial HVAC Technician from A.G. Prada Co. with the Steamfitters Local 602 Union in 1995 at 65. He enjoyed his retirement years keeping busy with hobbies, some travel, and spending time with family and friends. He was humble and shy but also curious, artistic, spatially and mechanically inclined. Even well into his 90s, he enjoyed watching YouTube and TedTalk videos to learn about recent scientific breakthroughs and astronomy. (He tried to explain Quantum Physics to me once to no avail.) Pat will be remembered fondly by all who met him and with enduring love from his family.

 A Celebration of Life Wake will be held on April 26, 2025, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the V.F.W. Hall, 11316 Fern St., Silver Spring, MD 20902. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society in his honor.