Warren Joseph Grams passed away at home on March 13 , 2024. Warren was born on Dec. 1, 1937, in Glen Cove, N.Y. He grew up on Long Island and met Kathleen (Kay) Thurston in high school. After high school, they were married on June 28, 1958. Warren joined the United States Navy, and he and Kay traveled to many different duty stations; he was stationed in Japan, Hawaii, Texas and San Diego. Warren retired from the military with honors as a chief petty officer.
In 1980, Warren and Kay moved from San Diego to Pagosa Springs, Colo. They bought the house on Mesa Drive with a VA Loan and have lived there since. Warren started his job as a mechanic at the Texaco Station with his longtime friend Pee Wee. During that same year, Warren joined the Pagosa Springs Volunteer Fire Department; in 1986, he became the fire chief.
In 1988 the fire district expanded, and he became assistant chief and then was promoted to chief again in 1991. Warren remained the chief and continued to build the department right up until he retired in 2007.
Warren and Kay retired from their work with the fire department and many other boards, groups and services in Pagosa, but remained active in the community. These include the Friends of the Library, Upper San Juan Search and Rescue, Colorado Fire Fighters Academy, Red Ryder board of directors, the Winterfest snowmobile program, Rotary, and Vets for Vets.
While retired, Warren spent his time on the local golf course, mowing the yard, camping and working for his friends. In February of 2011, Kay passed away from cancer; they had been married for 53 years.
The community, the fire department and his family kept Warren busy until he met Kathleen (Kathy) in September of 2012. Their first date was looking at the fall colors. Warren and Kathy were married on May 15, 2014, and would have celebrated their 10-year anniversary this May.
Warren is survived by his wife, Kathy; his daughter, Leslie Lattin; his grandchildren, Matthew Lattin and Roxanne Lattin (Danny); his sister, Susan Grams (AL); his brother, Brian Grams (Rona); his aunt, Ruby Haar; his great-grandson, Grayson Eli Warren Lattin; and many nieces and nephews. He was also blessed with Kathy’s family to include her daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at the Ross Aragon Community Center on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at 10 a.m. Chief Grams and his family, including his fire department family, will be making his final code 3 response from PFPD Station 1 to the Community Center at 9:30 a.m. that morning and the service will be concluded with military honors.
