Don Warner

Donald David Warner, age 62, of Miles City left this world to be with his heavenly father from complications from pneumonia.

Don was born in Broadus, Montana to Donald and Rowena “BeBe” Warner on August 6, 1959. Don grew up south of Broadus on the family ranch. He loved the ranch life and returned as often as he could to help with brandings and haying. Don loved the peacefulness of the ranch. He was a skilled horse trainer. The horses he trained had gentle spirits like Don himself. Don graduated from Broadus High School. After graduation, Don worked as a roustabout in the oil fields. After a few years he worked as a brick layer and worked all over Montana keeping Miles City as his home. Don married the loved of his life Joyce on September 12, 1981. He always said “I am so blessed to have married my best friend and the two of us are now one.” Together they had three children: Cassie Warner, Jesse (Jamie) Warner and Amanda Warner. Don was so proud of his children and so thankful that all three of his children live in Miles City. After his children entered his life, Don made a bold career change. He arrived home for the weekend and said sorry Joyce but I am unemployed as of today. I will not be a weekend husband and dad. He quickly got a job working for Darigold which allowed him to be home every evening with his wife and kids and the added bonus of unlimited ice cream.

After a couple years Don moved his family to the family ranch. Don’s dad needed help running the ranch. Don loved this work and loved raising his kids on a ranch. After a couple years Don was given an opportunity to go to college. This was probably the hardest decision Don had to make. With much encouragement from his dad, Don chose to go to college. Don graduated with high honors in electronics from Miles Community College receiving a full scholarship to Montana State University- Northern which he graduated with a bachelors in electronics. Don received the honor of student of the year from both Miles Community College and Montana State University – Northern. After graduating from college Don moved his family to Laurel and worked for Computers Unlimited. He had only been in Laurel a year when he received an application from Miles Community College to teach their electronics program. Don stated “this must be a mistake I’m not a teacher.” After a couple days Joyce told Don I would love to live in Miles City maybe you should fill out the application and see what happens. It only took a few days and Don was contacted for an interview. When Don arrived for his interview at the college, he was told the job was his if he would accept. The instructor who taught Don electronics was retiring and Don’s name was given as a replacement. Don was considered the most extraordinary student the electronics program had ever had. Don accepted the job and moved back to Miles City. He was an exceptional electronics teacher and he loved teaching, but the college soon realized that Don had many other extraordinary skills. Whenever the college had any technical issues, they could call Don and he would fix the problem. The college became amazed that there wasn’t much Don couldn’t fix which included computers. With this knowledge the college had Don teaching electronics and computer classes. Don’s knowledge of technology led the college to create a new position for Don to advance the colleges technology. A few years later the college made Don IT Director of the college which is the position Don held at his passing. Don worked at MCC for 27 years. Don valued and loved his MCC family.

Don’s favorite thing to do was spend time with his family. He was blessed with three grandchildren who he loved beyond words and he was so proud of each of them, granddaughters Karlee and Kaycee Warner and grandson Grayson Warner filled his heart with laughter, happiness and love. His grandchildren always put a smile on his face and a warm feeling in his heart. Don was further blessed with honorary grandchildren that he loved and held a special place in his heart: Alara, Alyssa, Josh, Brynn, Piper and Roland.

Don’s faith in Jesus Christ was visible to all who knew him. Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Don had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, he read his bible every morning keeping his focus where it needed to be, on his Lord and Savior. Don put emphasis on his own integrity and lived to please God. He had an inward devotion for God that outwardly displayed that devotion. Don shared his faith with everyone. The nature of God was reflected in Don. Don desired to please the Lord more than himself.

Don was an active board member for the Pregnancy Outreach Clinic. He valued this position and was proud of what the clinic stood for. The clinic provides excellent care, compassionate support and honest guidance that is given with grace by wonderful people. Don was an active volunteer for Relay For Life, helping in any way he could. In the little spare time Don had, he was a regular league bowler. Don has held office on both the local and state level for over 10 years. He valued the friends he made over these past years with many becoming very close friends. Every Friday morning for the past 20 years Don has met at Grace Bible Church for a men’s bible study. Don loved this group of men and considered them his dearest friends. Don said the prayers and support these men unselfishly gave cannot be expressed in words. Please know you were loved by Don and he valued the spiritual support you gave him.

There are so many kind, loving and unselfish stories that can be told about how amazing of a person Don was. For all who have those memories treasure them in your heart. To all Don’s close friends as I know there are way too many to list. Know without a doubt Don treasured you.

Don is survived by his wife Joyce, daughter Cassie, son Jesse (Jamie), daughter Amanda, granddaughters Karlee and Kaycee, grandson Grayson, sister Rowena Miller and brother Bruce Warner, nieces Maya and Jenifer, nephews Seldon (Lauren) and Robert, a very special mother-in-law Janice and many other loved ones. Don was preceded in death by his parents Donald and Rowena Warner, a sister Carolyn Gross, a sister-in-law Carol Losey and a nephew Michael Losey.

To all who knew Don please celebrate his life for that is what he would have wanted. Don is with his heavenly father. “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more, grief, crying, and pain will be no more because the previous things have passed away. Rev. 21:4

Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 2, 2021 from 1:00-5:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 3, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Grace Bible Church in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Custer County Cemetery.

The family would like to thank everyone for all the love and support during this time. For those wishing to send condolences to the family you can do so by visiting: http://www.stevensonandsons.com.