D. L. “Pete” Warren

Longtime Lynchburg community member D. L. "Pete" Warren, died Friday afternoon after battling acute respiratory distress syndrome. "Pete" was born in Eden, North Carolina in 1928, one of nine children. He was the fifth child of the late Clyde and Nannie Warren. He was the husband of Patricia Evelyn Warren for 62 years.

In addition to his parents Pete was preceded in death by four older siblings: Garvin, Reba, Mert, and Dera.

In addition to his wife Patsy, Pete is survived by two daughters: Ginny Garvic and her husband, Mike, of San Antonio, TX, and Nancy Sehn and her husband, Marvin, of Lynchburg; seven grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and four siblings, Jewel, Jerry, Donnie and Brenda.

Pete attended Lakeside Elementary School and graduated from Leaksville High School in 1947. He spent six years in the Air Force, during which time he met and married Patsy Cravens in 1950. He earned a BA in religion from Phillips University, a masters in counseling from East Carolina University, and in 1970 was awarded his doctorate in counseling and higher education from Oklahoma State University.

Pete and Patsy returned to North Carolina where Pete served as an assistant minister of Gordon Street Christian Church in Kinston, NC. Soon after, he began his professional life in higher education as Dean of Students at Atlantic Christian College, Wilson, NC, for three years. From 1963 until 1969 he served his alma mater, Phillips University, Enid, Oklahoma, as Dean of Students. From 1969 through 1994 Pete took on a diverse set of roles at Lynchburg College as professor of counseling and human development, dean of the school of education, dean of students, interim director of church relations and director of counselor education. Pete also served as the Executive Director of The Virginia Counselors Association. From 1994 until 2004 he served as the Corporate Chaplain of Grief Brothers Paper Mill in Amherst County. In August 2008 he was asked to serve as Interim Chaplain at Lynchburg College. He finished his service as Interim Chaplain on May 31, 2009. At the 2012 graduation exercises, Lynchburg College awarded him the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters for his longtime service to the college, Lynchburg community and the church.

In 1996 Pete was elected to Lynchburg City Council and served as mayor from 1998 to 2000. His numerous local volunteer activities included board service for Kid\"™s Haven, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Mental Health Association, Free Clinic, Interfaith Outreach, New Lands Jobs, Christmas in April (now Rebuilding Together), Lynchburg Grows, Voices, The Central Virginia Community Service Board and America\"™s Promise. In 2006 he served as the chair of the United Way of Central Virginia\"™s Annual Campaign, and for the past 12 years he has served as the Chair of the Smart Beginnings of Central Virginia, which is a coalition of more than 40 groups promoting positive early childhood development. In his lifetime Pete received many awards and honors, a list too long to mention them all. He will be remembered as an avid Duke fan.

A celebration of Pete\"™s life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 30th at Snidow Chapel Lynchburg College with Associate Chaplain Anne Gibbons officiating. A reception will follow in the Memorial Ballroom at Lynchburg College.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that you consider a donation to the D.L. \"Pete\" Warren Scholarship, Office of the President, Lynchburg College 1501 Lakeside Drive, Lynchburg, VA 24501 or the charity of your choice.

Tharp Funeral Home and Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family, 434-237-9424.