Michael Phelan Warwick passed away on Sept. 24th, 2024. Born on July 22nd, 1949 in Bartlesville, OK to J.R. and Alice Warwick; Michael leaves behind a legacy of love and compassion that will forever be cherished by those who had the privilege of knowing him.
Mi chael is survived by his wife of 53 years, Nancy Warwick; daughter Sarah Pearcy and her husband Aron Pearcy, his Brother Jim Warwick and his wife Terri; great nephews Ethan Fullbright and Marley Fullbright, and Great Nieces Juliana Mills, and Michale’ Young; grandchildren: Mary Pearcy, Nichole Pearcy, Hannah Pearcy and Kate Pearcy; five Great Grandchildren: as well as numerous nephews, nieces, family members and close friends.
Michael was preceded in death by his parents.
In high school Michael played football, basketball and track. He also played the trombone in the marching band and would march at halftime in his football uniform. His skill on the football field and academic abilities earned him a scholarship to West Point Academy. In the summer of 1967, Michael returned to NY. He not only played football at West Point but he also joined the choir and began his love of singing.
He returned home to OK in 1970, enlisted in the National Guard and enrolled at the University of Oklahoma to prepare for law school. He married Nancy Mae Duncan, on Sept. 4th, 1971 in Tushka, OK.
Michael remained in the national guard and became a J.A.G. Officer. In 1975, Michael began his law practice in Shawnee. He represented Sonics in OK, KS and TX. He was formerly the City Attorney for McLoud. He was the current City Attorney for Tecumseh. He also worked as Chief Justice of the Absentee Shawnee Tribal Court. Prior to that he acted as a District Court Judge. All of this in addition to his private practice. He was proud to have received his 50-year certificate from the Oklahoma Bar Association in January 2024. Over the years he served on many boards. He served on the hospital boards of Mission Hill, Unity Health Center and St. Anthony hospitals, the REACT Ambulance board and he was a founding member of the Avedis foundation and served as the Chairman of the Board from March 2022 to June 2024.
He loved the University of Oklahoma. He was a season ticket holder in multiple sports and a Sooner Club member. He went 30 years without missing a home football game and there were several years that he saw every game OU football played.
He was a member of Sine Nomine Choral Society of Central OK for many years and was a cast member in Shawnee Little Theatre’s productions of 1776, Guys and Dolls, and Inherit the Wind.
Most important and first in his life was his family. He adored his daughter Sarah and loved his wife Nancy. They were the most important things in the world to him. In Sarah’s 13 years of school he never missed one of her events. He often sat on the bench and kept book at her basketball games and walked thousands of miles on the golf course carrying her bag. And when she began her college golf career you could find him walking the fairways with her and her teammates. Later in life, he and Nancy took on the parenting of their great nephews and nieces. In typical Michael fashion he was a dedicated supporter of all of their endeavors and activities. It was the same with his grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He went to band contests, football games, volleyball games, basketball games and track meets. Just recently he got an electric wheelchair to make sure that he could get to all of Kate’s events.
There will be a private celebration of life. In lieu of flowers or gifts we ask that you donate to: Avedis Foundation - 1500 E Independence St., Shawnee, OK 74804; Community Market - 120 S. Center St., Shawnee, OK 74801; Legacy Parenting - 126 S. Center St., Shawnee, OK 74801
