May God bless you and your...
Remembered By
Tammy & Krissy Warnke
May 13, 2005 | Cullman, AL
Former mayor James Warnke,
who continued champion environmental causes long after leaving office,
died Sunday after a brief illness. He was 80.
Mr. Warnke served on the city commission for four years, including a
year as mayor from 1983 to 1984. He was among the first public officials
to call attention to the precarious nature of Florida's water resources
and the need for a sustainable growth plan, his son, Tom Warnke, said.
Most recently, he supported the Florida Hometown Democracy petition sent
to Tallahassee to give local residents the power to vote on changes to
cities' comprehensive plans.
"He saw what was happening in Broward and Dade, and he didn't want it
to happen in Palm Beach County, especially Boynton," Tom Warnke said.
"He believed a place should be preserved for the people who lived
there."
The Wisconsin native and World War II Army veteran moved to Florida in
1956 to work as a switchman for Southern Bell. A pioneering diving
instructor, Mr. Warnke organized one of the county's first formal
classes before SCUBA certification existed, his son said. His interest
in ocean conservation started when he saw divers break off pieces of
coral for souvenirs. He became a staunch opponent of injection wells
used to dispose of sewage deep underground. He and others contended that
the sewage eventually leaked into the ocean.
"He would tell anyone that listened that they need to treat the water
until it's clean again, not just shoot it into the ground," Tom Warnke
said.
The Scout leader, Sunday school superintendent and photographer served
on the boards of several local organizations before turning his
attention to politics in the 1980s.
Mr. Warnke is survived by his wife of 58 years, Beverleycq, and their
six children: Bill Warnke of Lakewood, Wash., Tom Warnke of Boynton
Beach, Terry Warnke Mayhew of Titusville, Randy Warnke of Lantana, Wendy
Warnke Tobias of Delray Beach and Ann Warnke Louzy of Boynton Beach.
A memorial service will be held 4 p.m. Friday at St. Joseph's Church in
Boynton Beach, followed by a reception for friends and family in the
parish hall.
Donations may be made to "Jim's Fund" at St. Joseph's Church, 3300 S.
Seacrest Blvd., Boynton Beach, FL 33435. The church will use the money
for ocean preservation and to support the 2004 Injection Well Challenge
Fund.
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Remembered By
Tammy & Krissy Warnke
May 13, 2005 | Cullman, AL
Remembered By
Bernard Warnke
May 13, 2005 | Cullman, AL
May the blessed father be with you.
Sue Warnke
May 13, 2005 | Cullman, AL