CW4 (Ret.) Roy Lee Warren, 91, of Fayetteville, NC, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 27, 2026, at Autumn Care of Fayetteville. Born on November 4, 1934, in Asheville, NC, CW4 Warren grew up enjoying life as a lifeguard, paper delivery boy, and was a Western North Carolina boxing champion during his school age years. He was born to the late William E. and Elizabeth Warren.
After a short stint in the Marines at age 17, CW4 Warren found a home in the United States Army for 32 years of faithful service. In that time, he amassed numerous awards and decorations for duties performed as an infantryman and in logistics and parachute rigging, maintenance, and airdrop. Tours include: Fort Bragg – 82d Airborne Division and the United States Army Institute for Military Assistance; Korea (2) – 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team and 4th Missile Battalion; Japan (2) – 549th Quartermaster Company (aerial delivery); Vietnam (2) – 5th Special Forces Group and 1st Aviation Brigade; and Okinawa (3) – 1st Special Forces Group, 2d Logistics Command, and 549th Quartermaster Company. CW4 is a veteran of the Korean Conflict and Vietnam. In May 1978, CW4 Warren was inducted into the U. S. Army Parachute Rigger Warrant Officer’s Hall of Fame. In June 2015, he was inducted into the Quartermaster Regiment Hall of Fame. Over his career, CW4 Warren made over 800 parachute jumps, both static line and free-fall, including High Altitude Low Opening (HALO) jumps. He was a life member of the United States Parachute Association, with a D-8042 license number. CW4 Warren was also a life member of the Disabled Veterans Association and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
As a second career for 27 years, CW4 Warren enjoyed selling life insurance for Modern Woodmen of America, and as the local Camp Secretary, planned monthly social dinners at various local restaurants for camp members.
CW4 Warren was preceded in death by his first wife of 39 years, Mitsuko Warren; a son, Roy Lee Warren Jr. (Gogi); and a great granddaughter, Victoria Sovine. He is survived by his wife, Brenda Warren of 29 years; daughter, Kathy Sovine (John); granddaughter, Holly Sovine; grandson, John Sovine, Jr. (JR); and great grandson, Camron Sovine.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, from 12:00 noon to 1:15 pm at Arran Lake Baptist Church, 1130 Bingham Drive, Fayetteville, NC, 28304. The funeral service, with military honors, will follow at 1:30 pm. Interment will be at Lafayette Memorial Park on Ramsey Street in the mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers, request a donation be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Fayetteville Animal Protective Society (FAPS), or your favorite charity, .
Funeral arrangements by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St. Fayetteville, N.C. 28301
Online condolences may be made at www.jerniganwarren.com