Roy Warnick Sr.

Roy "Hugh" Warnick, Sr., 89, longtime Moses Lake resident, passed away peacefully at his home Monday, August 8, 2011 with his loving wife of 65 years, Betty, by his side. Hugh was born April 25, 1922 in Yakima, Washington to Roy and Mary Warnick. He grew up in Yakima and graduated from Davis High School. He attended Yakima Valley Junior College and Perry Institute. Prior to his graduating and after the early death of his father, the family purchased a ranch in the beautiful Wenas Valley. Together with his wife Betty, mother Mary, and brothers Don, Jim and their families, they operated the Warnick Brothers' Guest Ranch for many years. Complete with a small airstrip it was a very popular stopover for people traveling over from the Coast. It was also a working dude ranch, farm, summer camp for girls, and the brothers guided elk hunters in the fall. Hugh met and married his dream girl, Betty Vickerman, of Rapid City, South Dakota after meeting in Yakima while both were obtaining their pilots' licenses. They shared a love of owning and flying small aircraft until they clipped a line and crash landed.

Deciding to move on to their next adventure, they moved to Ephrata and the Columbia Basin in 1953, eventually settling in Moses Lake and opening the Credit Bureau of Central Washington, Inc., in 1954. Together they ran this family business, still in operation by family after 50 years. Shortly after arriving they purchased a farm outside of Moses Lake and together raised seven children as well as foster children. Hugh was a very hard worker who always kept busy and took great pride in all his endeavors. He recreated parts of the guest ranch on the farm, complete with a pond, summer hayrides and barbecues. It remains a memorable place for family gatherings and visits with friends. Hugh was an avid musician, especially on the piano and harmonica, known for his lively music and entertaining songs. He loved boating and waterskiing on Lake Chelan, being the gentleman farmer, puttering around in his renowned shop and reading. Hugh was involved throughout his life in Boy Scouts of America and was an enthusiastic volunteer and leader. He was a long time member of the Moses Lake Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce and various community services. Religion was very important to Hugh and he joined the Mormon Church in 1975.

Hugh is survived by his wife Betty of 65 years, son Roy and daughter-in-law Judy of Moses Lake, son Dale and daughter-in-law Karen, of Bellevue, daughter Taelor of Ephrata, son David and daughter-in-law Diane of Kirkland, daughter Lorray Shelby of Moses Lake, daughter Mitja Stansfield and son-in-law Tom of Bellevue, son Joe and daughter-in-law Samia of Saudi Arabia, foster daughter Carmen and foster son Ramon Castellanos of Florida, sister-in-law Marnie Warnick of Mercer Island, seventeen grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by his parents Roy and Mary Warnick, brothers; Don and Jim Warnick, son-in-law Thomas Robert Shelby and great granddaughter, Emma Mae Hamsher.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Columbia Basin Boy Scouts of America in memory of Hugh Warnick, 12 N 10th Avenue, Yakima, WA 98902.

A funeral service will be held Friday, August 19th at 10 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Nelson Road Chapel, 1849 East Nelson Road, Moses Lake. A reception will follow at the Warnick farm, home of Roy and Judy Warnick. Please sign the online guestbook or leave a note for the family at www.kayserschapel.com Arrangements are in care of Kayser's Chapel & Crematory, Moses Lake.