Ardie Lee Warren Jr
January 8, 1951 - March 2, 2025
Obituary
On January 8, 1951, Ardie Lee Warren, Jr. (affectionately known as “AJ”) was born. He was the first child of Ardie Lee Warren, Sr. and Lois Sandra Warren (Encarnacion). He spent most of his childhood in Chandler and Tyler, Texas.
Shortly after Ardie was born, Ardie Sr. joined the army. Jr. and Lois (MuDear) lived with her parents until she completed college. Upon graduation, she was hired as a music teacher in Coffeeville, Mississippi. Initially, Ardie was raised by his grandparents. As soon as Ardie was old enough to start elementary school, he joined MuDear in Coffeeville.
They lived in Coffeeville until 1960, when Ardie Sr. was stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington. At that time, MuDear and Ardie moved to Tacoma, Washington. After spending a decade in Tacoma, Ardie united with his younger sister, Dorice Warren, who had been living in Texas with Ardie Sr. and spent summers visiting with her. Later in life, their bond deepened when Dorice relocated from Texas to the Seattle area.
Ardie attended Franklin Elementary, then McCarver Elementary and Junior High School. In 1969, he graduated from Stadium High School. After high school, he attended Tacoma Community College and later earned a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and Sociology from Western Washington University’s College of Arts and Sciences in 1973.
During Ardie’s college years, he worked at Model Cities and Tacoma Transit. After graduation, he worked for Javco Financial, Sunkist, Century 21 (where he actually sold himself his first house alongside homes he sold to many of his dearest friends in South Seattle), and The Seattle Times.
During his high school and college years, Ardie had many hobbies, including building model cars, slot cars, and full-sized cars. He built a ‘57 Chevy from scratch. One of his proudest moments was revealing his ‘67 Camaro, which was personalized with his name written on the trunk. He raced that car at Spanaway Speedway, where he won several races. At that time, Ardie also developed a passion for photography.
While attending Western Washington University, Ardie met the love of his life, Gloria Garrett. Ardie and Gloria were married on July 26, 1975. To this day and forevermore, they will be remembered as the couple that had a “Jean Suit” wedding. Gloria’s denim gown was almost as spectacular as her beauty. Theirs was a union blessed by God and sustained by love.
On October 9, 1982, Gloria gave birth to their only child, Marques Jamaar Warren. They both considered Marques to be their greatest accomplishment.
In 1994, Ardie, as the Founder and President of Warren’s News and Gift, Inc., opened Northwest Encounter, a travel convenience retail store at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. In 1996, his brother AnTony Warren joined him, and soon thereafter, Northwest Encounter and Warren’s News & Gift became a major success. They later launched The Warren Group and I-5 Concessions. Together, they opened two Pretzelmania locations at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and became joint venture partners in a multi-concept specialty retail store at San Francisco International Airport alongside Host Marriott Services (today HMS Host).
Ardie was an original board member of the Seattle Black Chamber of Commerce and a distinguished founding member of the Sea-Tac Minority Business Association. He was also a valued member of the national organization AMAC (Airport Minority Advisory Council).
In 2004, Warren’s News and Gift partnered with Hudson News and MCSB Inc. in a joint venture that was awarded the master retail lease at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. This included operating 16 stores, ranging from News & Gift outlets to specialty retail shops at the airport.
Ardie’s beloved wife, Gloria, went home to be with the Lord on February 17, 2006.
In 2011, Ardie’s son, Marques Warren, became the Vice President of Operations for Warren’s News and Gift. Together, Ardie and Marques expanded the family business to include airport operations, Downtown Spirits, Esquin Wine & Spirits, Esquin Wine Storage, and various real estate investments in multiple cities.
Ardie embraced life to the fullest, finding joy in travel, great food, and celebrating with family and friends. He never allowed obstacles—big or small—to diminish his passion for living.
Ardie was preceded in death by his wife, Gloria Warren; his parents, Ardie Warren, Sr., and Lois Encarnacion; his stepfather, Emilio Encarnacion; and a heavenly host of relatives and ancestors. Ardie leaves behind his son, Marques, to carry on his legacy. He is also survived by his brother AnTony (Traci) Warren, his sister Dorice Warren, his best friends Sandra Hart, Tommy Walker, and Richard Leonard, and his godson Tahj E. Bailey. He also leaves behind many cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and friends near and far who mourn his promotion to glory.