The one...the only...the craziest of them all…Joe Clarence Warwick went on to take his place in heaven on May 11, 2024.Born on January 18, 1943, Joe grew up in Harlem, MT, the sixth of eleven children. His parents were Cecile (Henriksen) and Thomas Warwick. When Joe was just a young boy his father passed away, but his mother, who was strong in her faith, instilled a love of God that Joe held onto throughout his life. Joe was playful, goofy, and never seemed to have a worry in the world. He exemplified God's love with his generous actions, positive attitude, and unwavering patience. It's no wonder all his nieces and nephews adored him!

Joe lived an active and humble life as a devout Catholic, adventurous athlete, and well-loved family member. He attended daily Mass, ran marathons, loved to ski, raft, mountain climb, or even just get all the kids outside for a game of Horse on the basketball court. Any activity he did with his family was exceptionally fun with his goofy antics and kind heart. He taught many of his nieces and nephews how to drive a stick shift as soon as they were tall enough to see over the dashboard. He often enjoyed taking all the kids to parks to play while he did his daily quota of chin ups, always remaining physically fit, but never passing up a good dose of junk food or candy. It was a joyful moment whenever Joe unexpectedly (he never called ahead to tell anyone he was coming) showed up at one of our houses.

Joe had a strong work ethic and energetically completed any task or job he was given, often jumping in to help with projects when he visited. This also allowed him the opportunity to show off his remarkable strength, which was truly impressive, even at the age of 81!

After high school, Joe joined the U.S. Navy for four years and began learning about ironwork, which later became his primary trade. After his discharge, he attended college at Northern in Havre for a short time before moving to Great Falls where he worked construction and then for the Anaconda Company.  He held a variety of jobs for a while where he worked on a boat off the coast of Alaska as a cook, a milkman and little league coach in Harlem, and later moved to Seattle to work for Boeing and attend welding school. From there he returned to Great Falls for three years working on missile sites and other construction jobs.  After moving and working in Colstrip, MT and Tacoma, WA, Joe eventually settled in Redondo Beach, CA. where he married Georgia Froncek in 1990. Joe and Georgia later adopted a beautiful baby girl, Estelle Lisa Marie Warwick, in 1995. Joe loved being a father and spending time with Estelle. He brought her to Montana for extended visits in the summer to spend with family, which was so important to him.

After Georgia's passing in 2019, Joe and Estee moved to Butte. While in Butte, Joe resumed attending daily Mass and found his place of peace at St. Ann Church. He and his sister, Jackie, and some of her friends that warmly accepted Joe into their group, would then all meet for lunch at Oasis. This Sunday outing and attending The Living Word Prayer Group at Holy Spirit gave him great joy (his words), and we truly want to thank all of you that were so kind and understanding with Joe as his dementia progressed.

Joe is preceded in death by his mother and father, wife Georgia, brothers Bill (Beth) Warwick, Johnny Streber, sister Annette (Tom) Ragsdale, brother-in-laws Steve Black, Don Ford, and Gordon Azure.
Joe is survived by daughter Estelle Warwick, brother Tom (Deanna) Warwick, sisters Jackie Black, Patty Ford, Ann Azure, Mary Jean Schulz, Kay (Curtis) Baird, Jeanine Nichols and many nieces and nephews who will all miss him greatly.

Thank you to his sister, Jackie, his niece and nephew-in-law, Andy and Stephanie Zdinak for their devoted care toward Joe, and the kind staff at Continental Care during his final few weeks, especially Finn, Christy and Chris. We'd additionally like to thank Stillwater Hospice and their staff.

A funeral service to honor Joe is scheduled for Thursday, May 30th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Ann Church with a reception following in the social hall. Memorials may be made to St. Ann Church or New Hope Pregnancy Center.

We love and miss you, Joe.