Ray Warner of Benton County, WA, died Aug. 16, 2026, at age 88 in Richland, WA.

Born in Davis, CA, the youngest of Fern and Bill Warner’s four children, Ray grew up in comfort and love. His brother taught him to build a crystal-set radio, use a pogo stick, ride a unicycle… Fishing trips were enjoyed (though secretly he often didn’t bait the hook). He enjoyed hiking, skiing, photography and riflery. He ran high-school track and edited the yearbook. He studied engineering and physics at UC Davis and Berkeley.

While an Air Defense Artillery officer at Ft. Bliss, the west Texas desert enhanced his love of trails. He also earned a pilot’s license and became a National Rifle Association Lifetime Master (Later in life he favored repeal of the Second Amendment.) After his Army duty, Ray returned to Davis for a nuclear physics PhD; and met and married Judith Sauve (a love obvious to all).

At Michigan State U, Ray continued nuclear research while Judith earned her PhD; they then moved west where Ray joined Pacific Northwest National Lab in Richland WA, did more basic research, then managed a program to detect nuclear treaty violations. He served 2 years in Washington DC, and made several foreign trips to represent the US in nuclear test ban negotiations.

Ray & Jude loved hiking the Cascades and desert, as well as paddling the Columbia. His 2001 transfer of a kidney to Jude led to 13 more good years together, including travel to Italy, Turkey, China & Tibet; multiple trips to Hawaii; and ocean cruises. After reading of another kidney donor entering a local fun run, Ray decided to try it, leading to a few marathons including Boston (2009); and other runs up to 50 km through his 70’s.

Columbia Basin Racquet Club; Insight Meditation of the Mid-Columbia; Tri-City Sunday Runners; Nomad Trail Runners; Fun, Fit & Over Fifty Club; Friends of Badger Mountain; and Columbia Basin Badger Club added to his joy and circle of friends.

Judith died in 2015. Ray is survived by his niece Anne Makowsky, several Bozaich, Winlow & Warner nephews, as well as Tri-City-area friends including the Gonzalez family, Jose Rodriguez, Tiffany & Rudy Malone, and Robin & Steve Perez.

His memory would be honored by a contribution to your favorite charity, by a YES vote for every school levy, or by being nice to all you meet, including poor strangers on the street.

Friends are invited to a simple party celebrating his life on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, 11am–1pm at Events at Sunset in Richland, WA.