Cloyd "Joe" Eldon Warnes

Cloyd (Joe) Eldon Warnes, 98, passed away 4/19/2022.  He was born in Jamestown, New York to Harriet Christian Warnes and Cloyd Eldon Warnes on March 26, 1924.  He was the oldest of three sons.  He attended Lodi High School in Lodi, Ohio and was President of his senior class.  He graduated in 1942 and then joined the United States Navy Air Corps during World War II.  He ranked first in his class while training at the Naval Air Station in Memphis, Tennessee.  During his tour of duty in World War II, he was a crew member aboard the Martin PBM Mariner, a combat airplane and was stationed in the South Pacific theater.

After the war, he joined the U.S. Navy reserves and attended College of Wooster and Mount Union College in Ohio and finally graduated from Ohio State University with Bachelor of Civil Engineering in 1951.  He was a Captain when he retired from the U. S. Navy Reserves in 1993.

Joe enjoyed being a leader, serving his country, and wanted to make the world a better place.  His professional career centered mostly within the engineering and construction fields.  He completed his career as a managing partner at a consulting project management firm that specialized in design and construction of concrete structures.  He managed projects in the Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern Europe.  He received an honorary fellow membership from the American Concrete Institute for his lifelong efforts to improve the design and construction of the concrete infrastructure both domestically and internationally, also for his significant contribution in the field of precast concrete structures.  Most recently he authored several publications including ‘Construction of Disaster Safe Homes’ and an educational booklet on ovarian cancer.

Joe loved the outdoors and has spent a lot of his free time with his family in skiing, camping, hiking. His great achievement was climbing the Matterhorn after 50. He was a loving husband and father. 

Joe is survived by his devoted wife, Lidia, of 26 years.  Together they were parents of Michael.  He is also survived by his son Jeff and daughter Katie from a previous marriage. 

He will be buried with military honors at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery 5810 Midway Rd. Dixon, California Friday, April 29 followed by a celebration of life with relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: the Marine Corps League or the charity of your choice.