J. Michael Warren

Okemos

Michael was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was born December 16, 1939 to John and Isma Warren in Port of Spain, Trinidad. Michael died January 11, 2011 at the age of 71. He was a resident of Okemos for over 40 years. He and his wife JoAnn met in the 8th grade and would be celebrating 50 years together in June. He was an attorney for Foster, Swift, Collins and Coey for several years, as well as president for a year, eventually starting his own law firm in Okemos. He was listed in Who’s Who in American Law starting in 1998. Michael served as a United Way solicitor and as a Long Range Planning Committee member for a number of years. He served nine years on the Board of Directors for Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce, including chairman in 1979; was the first recipient of the “Tireless Award” from the Chamber for his community involvement. Michael served on the Board of the Big Brothers – Big Sisters in 1972. Michael was an Eagle Scout and served on the Foundation Committee for the Chief Okemos Council of the Boy Scouts of America for several years, the Board of Trustees since approximately 1983 or 1984, and as President from July 1, 1989 to June 30, 1991. He received the Silver Beaver Award in 1990 for his service to the Boy Scouts and the Whitney Young Award from the National Boy Scouts of America for his work with urban and at-risk youth. Michael also was the Founding Trustee of the Lansing Region Community Foundation, serving as its President in 1994. He was a volunteer for the Okemos Athletic Klub (OAKS) youth recreation program approximately 22 times, coching his children in various sports, including softball, football, basketball and soccer. He had a passion for genealogy, and would research anyone’s family history who asked him. He was avid sports spectator, attending as many as 7 of his grandchildren’s games in one weekend. Michael was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife JoAnn; children, J. Douglas (JoLynne)Warren, Denise Warren, Stephanie (Bill) Larsen, and Lynne (Kevin) Thatcher; grandchildren, Conor Warren, Braden Warren, Joshua Larsen, Kelsey Larsen, Shane Thatcher, Kayla Thatcher and Cassie Thatcher; brothers, Thomas (Fran) Warren, Russell Warren; sister, Joanne LeChevalier.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, January 15, 2011 at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 1730 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing. The family will receive friends on Friday, January 14, 5-8 p.m. at the funeral home’s chapel. Interment will be at East Lawn Memorial Gardens in Okemos. Contributions may be made to the Capital Region Community Foundation, 6035 Executive Drive, Ste.,104, Lansing, Michigan 48911, in memory of Michael. On line condolences may be made to www.gorslineruncimaneastlansing.com. Arrangements under the direction of Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, East Lansing, MI.