Warren passed away on Friday, March 13, 2015 in Lodi.
Born in El Reno, OK to Walter and Christena Potts, raised in Chauvin and New Orleans until sixth grade, he moved to Richmond, Calif.
After graduating from Richmond High School in 1954, he went to San Jose State University, where he continued his love and pursuit of judo and his high school sweetheart, Georgia.
They married in 1955. They had five children: Sandi (Scott) Cornfield, Michael (Kathleen) Potts, Dennis Potts, Carole (Chris) Funge, Kevin (Elizabeth) Potts; grandchildren Christina (Chris), Clinton (Kim), Tyler, Emilie, Alex, Katrina (Bill); great grandchildren Christopher, Colin, Brianna, as well as his next-door “grandchildren” Ellie and Logan.
After college, he served in the U.S. Army Reserve for three years. Wanting to try his chops at the culinary arts, he was a chef at the five-star restaurant Doggie Diner. He started his career at AC Transit as a driver, then dispatcher before moving to Golden Gate Transit where he retired after 25 years as the Superintendent of Scheduling.
He was a passionate square dancer with various clubs and past president of the Northern California Square Dancers Association.
His greatest joys besides collecting unique hats and watching his extended family grow up were “keeping the city safe” as a Lodi Police Partner with his buddy, Vito.
He was a deacon at Grace Presbyterian Church in Lodi and loved to travel the world with Georgia. She preceded him in death in 2014.
In 2013 they established the Novacek-Potts Memorial Scholarship Fund at Tokay High School. Warren was well known throughout Lodi as the “Turtle Hat guy” for the custom hat he wore everywhere he went. He was truly loved by those who met him and will be missed by all.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Novacek-Potts Memorial Scholarship Fund (Bank of Stockton, PO Box 759, Lodi, CA 95241) or Grace Presbyterian Church.
Please add your condolences in the comments below.
VISITATION
No visitation will be held.
SERVICES
A Celebration of Life (New Orleans style) will be held on Sunday, March 22, at 3:00 pm at Grace Presbyterian Church, 10 North Mills, Lodi, CA.