John Alton Warrington, retired state trooper
John “Jack” Alton Warrington passed away Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024, surrounded by family. He was born to Alton Franklin Warrington and Lillian Coriane (Wilson) Warrington in rural Georgetown.
Jack was raised on and helped his father build up the family farm in Angola. Jack attended and graduated from Lewes Special School in 1956. He and his high school sweetheart, Bonnie Wyatt Warrington, married in June shortly after graduation. His work life started at a young age as was common for those living on farms. In his youth, he even helped his father haul timber to the sawmill to help build the buildings as the farm grew. After marriage, he worked as a junior herdsman on Otis Smith’s Bay Manor farms in Lewes for four years. He started his 30-year career in public safety on Easter 1960 as a patrolman with Lewes Police Department. On Jan. 1, 1963, he realized his dream job. He was appointed as a Delaware State Police trooper. He served for 20 years, and at that time retirement was mandatory. He started at Troop 4, and spent the first couple of summers at Troop 4A (later becoming Troop 7). He had numerous assignments, including patrol, temporary assignments at HQ, executive security, detective, shift commander, and retiring as criminal lieutenant at Troop 7. After retirement, he was recruited to start the security department at Beebe Hospital. He was the safety director for Beebe and chairperson of the hospital’s Safety and Preparedness Committee. He was then recruited to become the director of public safety for Lewes Police Department. He retired in 1995.
He coached Little League in Lewes. After marriage, he became a member of Lewes Presbyterian Church. He served as trustee and elder, and managed the ushers for years.
He is a life member of Delaware State Police retired associations.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and clamming. The family always enjoyed his clam fritters after a clamming trip. He took pride and pleasure in working in his yard. He loved using his farming skills to grow tomatoes. He also enjoyed woodworking, and making items for family and friends. After retirement, he thoroughly enjoyed being able to be more involved in family life. He loved supporting his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He especially enjoyed attending their special events, activities, and most importantly, sporting events, many times traveling to other states to watch games. He and Bonnie hardly ever missed an event. They often brought treats for the whole team.
He and Bonnie traveled from New Jersey to Florida. They really enjoyed going to Williamsburg. They were on a first-name basis with the manager at their favorite hotel, taking the staff cookies every time they went.
He is preceded in death by his parents; and his sister, Nancy Reed. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Bonnie; brother, Charles (Joanne) Warrington; sister, Gale Schaeffer; his children, Rob (Cindi) Warrington and Patty Jo (John Mock), all of Lewes; his grandchildren, Stephanie (Alex Brown) of Lewes, Jacki (Justin Hoffman) of Delmar, Amanda (John DiStefano) of Lewes, Sean (Lauren) Mock of San Diego, Calif., and Ryan (Nicole) Mock of Milton. He has 16 great-grandchildren and three foster great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Dec. 6, at Lewes Presbyterian Church, 133 Kings Hwy., Lewes, where friends and family may gather after 10 a.m. Interment will be held privately.
Donations may be made to Lewes Presbyterian Church, 133 Kings Hwy., Lewes, DE 19958.
Online condolences may be sent by visiting melsonfuneralservices.com.
