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Donald C. Warrington, 89, died peacefully in his sleep on September 13, 2008, in Live Oak Medical Center, Blanco, Texas. He was born August 30, 1919, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to John Burwell Warrington and Sarah Isabel Warrington.

Don’s education at Drexel Institute of Technology was interrupted by World War II. As a lifelong Quaker, Don registered as a conscientious objector (CO) and did alternative service with the Civilian Public Service (CPS). While working at a sawmill, he lost four fingers on one hand and was discharged 4-F. After graduation in 1946, he went to China with the American Friends Service Committee to do relief and rehabilitation work and accounting for the China Unit. While in China, he met and married Dorothy Candlin.

What became his life’s work began in 1950 when he accepted his first position with the YMCA, in Reading, Pennsylvania. In 1962, he joined the staff of the YMCA International Committee and became the first Fraternal Secretary in Bogotá, Colombia, the last country in South America to have a YMCA. Don and his family lived in Bogotá for five and a half years. When they returned to the States, Don held several posts with the YMCA in Connecticut and Pennsylvania, ending as Financial Officer of the Philadelphia Y, from which he retired in 1981.

Don’s last years were spent in Blanco, Texas, where he built his house and worked on an AARP committee that generated the idea for and secured the funding to build a community center in Blanco. Don thoroughly enjoyed his participation on the all-volunteer crew that built the Gem of the Hills Community Center.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Dorothy Candlin Warrington of Blanco, TX; his son, Tom Warrington, and wife, Donna, of Novato, CA; daughter Patricia Rocha and husband, José, of Philadelphia, PA; daughter Nancy Warrington of Wilmington, MA; two grandchildren; his sister, Polly Sutch; and other family.

A memorial service for Don will be held Friday, October 3, 2008, at 10:00a.m. at Gem of the Hills Community Center in Blanco. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Gem of the Hills Aquatic Center, 2233 U.S. Hwy 281 N, Blanco, TX 78606; or to YMCA of the U.S.A., 101 North Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606.

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