Warren Stephen Karp

Warren was born on January 15, 1929 to Charles and Esther Karp in Chicago, IL. He attended Sullivan High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois in 1952.

Warren joined the Marine Corps PLC commissioning program while at Illinois. After graduation, he was on active duty from August 1952 to August 1954. He served in Korea with the 1st Provisional Demilitarized Zone Police Company, part of the time acting as the company commander. Warren rose to the rank of Captain in the reserves, receiving his honorable discharge in 1960.

Warren held multiple jobs in his life, including but not limited to life guard at Chicago’s Foster Beach, soybean shoveler, and employment agency owner, finally settling on a career in the lighting industry. In 1988, he started Lumiére Design and Manufacturing, Inc, which created high-quality landscape and architectural lighting. He was honored to have his lights installed in such notable locations as the Reagan Presidential Library, Disneyland and many fine museums and hotels.

In so many ways, including as a husband, father, grandfather, and uncle, Warren was larger than life. He was a devoted to his family dedicated himself to providing everything they could need, including so much of his time, his sense of humor, valued advice and guidance. In 1952, he met the love of his life, Letty Richter, whom he married in 1955. He was a loving, present and playful father to his three children, David Karp (Jill), Loren Weimer (Charles) and Heide Briggs (Philip). His kids knew they were lucky to have this universally highly regarded man as their father.

Warren and Letty were ecstatic with the arrival of their four grandchildren, Matthew Karp, Benjamin Briggs, William Karp and Theodore Briggs and were thrilled to spend as much time with them as possible.

Warren was a fiercely loyal friend. He stayed connected with his boyhood friends his entire life and accumulated many more throughout the years. He enjoyed and excelled at photography since childhood. He was an avid scuba diver, stayed fit and lived a healthy lifestyle. He engaged in many sports, ranging from football to handball, to jogging, yoga and weightlifting, and exercised up to the very end! He loved to read and listen to music. He was a wonderful storyteller - he laughed and made others laugh.

Warren was preceded in death by his parents, brother Stanley Karp (Patsy), sister Carolyn Gaynor (Richard) and wife Letty. He is survived by his children, their spouses and grandchildren, and so many more who happily claimed him as family and friend.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Los Angeles. A service will be held at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks-Griffin Memorial Park, 5600 Lindero Canyon Rd, Westlake Village, CA 91362 on January 5, 2024 at 10:00 AM.