Richard “Dick” Harold Warkins
Share
** A celebration of life for Dick Warkins will be held beginning at 4:00 p.m. Saturday, November 25th at Kanwaka Township Hall, 776 Highway 40, Lawrence, Kansas. Service will be followed by sharing of memories, a potluck dinner and jam session. **
Richard “Dick” Harold Warkins passed away Thursday, October 26, 2017 at his home in Lawrence, Kansas. He was born January 3, 1948 to Harold and Edith Warkins in Princeton, Illinois. They later moved to Mount Morris where he attended school and graduated from Mount Morris High school. Dick was active in basketball and had a brilliant track record. He attended Peru state Teachers college in Peru, Nebraska and Kansas University working toward a degree in art.
Dick was an amazing musician who started playing the guitar at an early age and later the mandolin. He taught guitar in Lawrence both privately and at Off the Wall Hall. He played in several local groups including “Murphy’s Law”,” Prairie Fire” and “Billy and the Beer Bellies”.
Dick’s career in laminate fabrication started at K&M decorating. From there he started Lawrence Countertop which began in the Pohler warehouse and later moved to his home.
He married Connie Appleoff August 6, 1972 in Falls City, Nebraska.
Dick was preceded in death by his father, Harold and mother, Edith. He is survived by his wife, Connie, daughters, Rachel and Jessie and granddaughter, Haizly Warkins, brother, David Warkins and wife, Mary Jane of Mount Morris, Illinois, sister, Susan Lyons of Tucson, Arizona and many nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to the Haizly Warkins education fund or Douglas County Special Olympics and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date to be announced.
Connie, we are truly sorry to hear of Dick’s passing. Our sympathy to you, Rachel, Jessie, and Haizly.
Connie, working with you at Strong’s and seeing you throughout the years has been a true joy. I am so sorry to hear of your great loss and our hearts go out to you and your family. Please let us know if we can do anything for you.
Dale & Betty G.
Dear Connie, Rachel, Jessie and Haizly,
I am so sorry for your loss. My heart is with you all. Sending you love and light,
Bobette
Dick’s death has brought me a flood of memories, of life with our band, Murphy’s Law, of youthful shenanigans and raising our kids together. He was a powerful presence in my life. He will be missed.
Steve Mason
Connie, we’re truly sorry to know about Dick’s passing, even though we haven’t seen you for a long time but I always cherish the time we worked and traveled together, especially the visit to Dick’s mom in Illinois and your folks in Falls City. You are in our prayer.
Alan & Sharon Wang
Connie and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I hope memories bring some comfort to you at this time. Blessings of peace to you and your family.
Linda Kiernan
I’m still not “getting this”. It’s just still unbelievable. I love you guys so much, but share in your sorrow. We will be with you along the way, Connie, Rachel, and Haizly.
Rachel,
I am so very sorry to know your father passed. I have been thinking about you a lot the last few days and hope you’re alright. I’m here if you need to talk/hug/yell/laugh. My family and I send you all hugs and love!! Xoxo
Elizabeth Combest & Family
My dear Connie, Rachel, Jessie and Haizley. Sick was such a joy and always so good to me. My memories go back a few years and I’m happy to have them. My heart is with you all. My deepest condolences to all that loved him.
Dear Connie and Family,
I’m so sorry to hear about Dick’s passing.
I have so many fond memories of playing music and just goofing off with you all.
It’s hard to believe that he has gone.
Wishing you peace and love,
Leo
Connie I am so sorry for your loss. Cherish the memories and hold them close. Sending you prayers and hugs!
I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers and hugs to you and your family!
Connie and family, so sorry for your loss, you are all in my thoughts and prayers, hugs for you all.
Connie, Rachel, Jessie, and Haizly we are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. We pray that God’s comforting hands will be with you during this difficult time.
So sorry Connie, miss all the time we spent together when Uncle Billy was here with us now they will be jamming together in the afterlife party
I remember Dick from the 70’s. Very nice man. So sorry for your loss
Our hearts are broken at Dick’s sudden passing. What a great soul we have lost, until we are all reunited. Barb and I send our love and sympathy at this devastating news.
Connie, Jessie, Rachel and Haizly – On behalf of all the athletes and families, Douglas County Special Olympics wants you to know you are all in our thoughts and prayers. Your family means so much to all of us. Sending our love,
So so sorry to hear this Connie. I can’t imagine. Heartfelt condolences to you and your family.
Connie
Sorry to hear of Dick’s passing. I have so memories of playing music, or hanging out together. I remember an orange kitten Dick gave me, which grew into a cat and lived many years. I remember so many conversations about music, and quite a few times when I had the pleasure of just jamming with him one on one, with Dick on either his mandolin or that beautiful guitar, both of which he played so well that I really never could keep up.
Then there were the parties and jams over the years, where it seems all the musicians in two or three counties, or more, would congregate, and visit, and jam, and so much great music was played. Losing Dick is, I think, for all who knew him, like losing a piece of oneself.
I kept meaning to come visit him over the past year but hesitated, and so missed perhaps a little more time with him.
I’m very sad about his passing, and somewhat stunned, and it is hard to write of it, or even think of it.
He was a good, kind, very intelligent, funny, highly talented, and deep-thinking person. He loved animals and, mostly, people too, and you can’t do much better than that.
Knowing him enriched my life.
Connie – I am so sorry to hear about Dick….Connor just told me.
Dick was such an interesting guy, always has something cool to share. I didn’t see him a lot, but always left with something new to think about….
Life is so short. My deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Connie, sorry about your and our loss of Dick. He certainly had an interesting sense of humor. And a great love of playing music. Be well.
Connie and family, l am so sorry for your loss. I really enjoyed hearing Dicks’ music and hope you have many happy memories of time spent with him to get you through the difficult times.
With love, Melonie Moore Sullivan
Being a small part of the Warkin’s family for so many wonderful decades rings in fond memories of friends music and your family. Healing hugs, and love as Dick continues playing in the big jam fest
????????Karen
I have many fond memories of Dick, and nearly all included smiles and laughing. He was a talented musician and a generous person, and will be missed by those left behind.
Thinking of you-sorry for your loss.
Connie I’ll be sending two checks one for each of the memorial suggestions to your home that I should arrive sometime before Thanksgiving
Connie. I have so many wonderful memories of Dick from way back when we were kids. You and your loved ones are in my prayers.