Person:Bobby Warner (1)

From: "Bob Warner" <photo@@maysvilleky.net> To: <darrellwarner@@kc.rr.com> Subject: Warner Family Date: Wed, 8 Sep 1999 09:00:01 -0400

Darrell,

          I was just looking through the information in the book that you sent my mom, Margaret Stone Warner. I'm sure you didn't know but my mom passed away in April of this year. Looking at your website about the Warner Graveyard, I went there because we needed middle name of my brother, Thomas, who is buried there for mom'd obituaray. Most of the graveyard is in pretty good shape now. The end where the slaves are supposidly buried still needs work. The rest has been cleaned up and a new fence surrounds it. If you ever come this way let me know and we can visit it. The farm still belongs in the family. Minnie Smoot is the main owner. She is in her 90's. Her hearing is bad but her mind is great. She gets along cleaning house and does mostly what she wants. Better close now. 

Hope to hear from you soon. Bob

FROM THE MAYSVILLE LEDGER INDEPENDENT WWW.MAYSVILLE-ONLINE.COM http://maysville-online.alerisdata.com/article.asp?catid=8&articleid=12530

MOUNT STERLING -- Bobby James 'Bubba' Warner, 49, of East Third Street, Maysville, formerly of Mount Sterling, died Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2005 at University Hospital in Cincinnati.

    Mr. Warner was chief photographer at The Ledger Independent in Maysville. He was a photographer for the Associated Press and National Press and Morehead News (Daily Independent). He was a former Montgomery County fire fighter and EMT and in 1975 he served as a volunteer fire fighter in Owingsville.
    Mr. Warner was a member and trustee of the New Life Church of Christ in Flemingsburg.
    Born in Montgomery County, Ky. on Dec. 16, 1955, he was the son of James 'Hick' Warner and Margaret Stone Warner.
    Surviving are his wife, Julia Reid Warner of Maysville; three sons, Ryan (Regina) Smith of Maysville, Michael (Michelle) Smith of Maysville, and James Warner of Maysville; two granddaughters, Abigail and Victoria Smith; two sisters, Mary Linda Copher of Owingsville and Cathy King of Whitley City; two nephews, Bobby Hart of Dayton, Ohio, and Roger Copher of Owingsville. He was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, Dudley Thomas Warner.
    Services are 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2005 at New Life Church of Christ in Flemingsburg. Burial will be in Maysville Cemetery. Kelly Carmichael and the Rev. Glenn Emery will officiate.
    Active pallbearers will be Steve Shaffer, Terry Prather, Rogie Copher, Gary Orme, Tony Clayton, Rusty Thomas, Mitchell Goodpaster and Wally Johnson.
    Honorary pallbearers will be the elders and deacons of New Life Church of Christ.
    Visitation is from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Herald and Stewart Chapel in Mount Sterling and after 5 p.m. Monday at the church in Flemingsburg. 
    Memorials may be made to the New Life Church of Christ Building Fund.
     In Memory of Bob Warner, Chief Photographer, The Ledger Independent bobby.followtheriver.com

Photographer Bob Warner dies By: BETTY COUTANT, News Editor Submitted: 2/3/2005

CINCINNATI -- Ledger Independent Chief Photographer Bob Warner died Wednesday morning from complications stemming from an August 2004 automobile accident. Warner was paralyzed in the accident that occurred in Eau Claire, Wisc. on Aug. 13. He was traveling with his wife and youngest son to Seattle where his son Michael Smith serves in the Navy. He remained hospitalized in Minnesota for several weeks following the accident which damaged his spinal cord and left him paralyzed from the shoulders down. He was airlifted to Drake Rehabilitation Center in Cincinnati in October and finally made it to his Third Street home last week. His wife Julia believes he came home to die. He has known probably since he came to Drake, Julia Warner said Wednesday. 'He's told us several times in the last couple of weeks that he couldn't do it much longer. Warner was taken to Fleming County Hospital by ambulance Monday and was transferred to Meadowview Regional Medical Center to be monitored by heart specialist Dr. Ragu Srinivasan, before being transferred to University Hospital in Cincinnati where he died just after midnight Tuesday. He was likely suffering from a virus that has stricken many in the area recently and was suffering from dehydration in addition to complications from the spinal injury. The family has been comforted throughout the ordeal by friends and a close relationship with God. Julia spoke about how their faith has grown through the years and the strong bonds that exist within the family. Our minister came over and said 'remember with me,' Julia Warner said. 'We talked about the night he was baptized. Both worked in the lab at Mary Childs Hospital in Mount Sterling and Bob took the notion to become baptized and ran with it. He said 'I'm going to call Glen (Emery, the couple's minister in Mount Sterling) and tell him I want to be baptized,' Julia recalled. The minister said the water in the baptistry was cold because of some construction at the church, but it didn't matter to Warner. He said 'No. I mean tonight, Julia said. Emery said if Warner could handle the cold water, he could too, and agreed to meet Julia, Bob and some close friends at the church. It was so cold, but the look on Bob's face when he came out of that water was just amazing,' Julia said through her tears. The family has needed that faith. More than 20 years ago the couple's only biological child was born with birth defects. Julia was in one hospital, son Jim had been taken to University of Kentucky Medical Center and Bob was there alone. He was told Jim would likely not make it through the night. Bobby went out to make some calls,' Julia said. It was then he ran into Bob Lane, an old friend who was at the hospital on another matter. They knelt and prayed together and when he went back up Jim was better, Julia said. We've weathered so much. We prayed our way through all of it, Julia said. That faith will get them through this newest challenge. It helps because I know where he is today. It hurts that he's not here with us, but I know where he is today. After he was taken to Fleming County Hospital, Warner's blood pressure was so low, doctors were at first not able to take a reading, Julia Warner said. He was transferred to UC as soon as a bed became available, and it was not long until the family was faced with the responsibility of making decisions about what measures should be taken to continue his life. His last gift was to spare them from that decision. After waiting two hours for word from a doctor, it wasn't what they wanted to hear. He told us it was grave. He said 'You need to be prepared to make some hard decisions, Julia Warner said. Of course that's the hardest decision to make. As the family huddled, Bob Warner slipped away. Ryan said 'We don't have to make the decision, he made it for us,' Julia Warner said, And he was gone. God had a role in the accident, Julia Warner said. Of course God didn't cause the accident, but I think God can take the pieces and make some good out of it and Bobby believed that too, Julia Warner said. She believes God's intention was for Bob Warner to preach the evils of driving without a seat belt. I couldn't count the number of people who have been through here. The last thing he said to all of them was wear your seat belt, Julia Warner said. Besides his wife, Bob Warner leaves behind step-sons Michael and Ryan Smith, son Jim, two daughters-in-law, Michelle and Regina Smith and two granddaughters. They could melt him with a smile, Julia said of the boys.

Contact Betty Coutant at betty.coutant@@lee.net or 564-9091, ext. 274. Find This Article: http://www.bobby.followtheriver.com/articles/page.asp?articleid=4135

WARNER LEAVES ATHLETIC PHOTO ALBUM By: JEREMY GERMANN – Sports Editor Submitted: 2/2/2005

David Buchanan was still devastated from his most disappointing defeat when Ledger Independent chief photographer Bob Warner made a lasting impression. After winning Mason County’s first regional title in 2003, coach Buchanan and the Royals failed to reach the Kentucky state football championship falling 21-14 to Highlands. I was really down that we hadn’t completed it and won a state championship,” Buchanan said. “I remember that Christmas morning my wife had a gift for me, a collage of pictures from our season. Bobby was the one who put it all together for me. That really made an impression on me. Bobby’s work made me realize we did a pretty good job after all. He’s just a wonderful example how you treat people. Quarterbacking the Royals in 2003 was Dustin Grutza. His mother, Gwynn Grutza used hundreds of photographs taken by Warner to create a indelible scrapbook of her son’s accomplishments. Bobby went out of his way to be helpful,” Grutza said. He told me he would always follow Dustin. He said ‘When Dustin starts playing, I’ll be up at UC to keep that scrapbook going. He took a lot of pride in it. Warner’s photographs leave behind a collective photo album of athletic accomplishments. He captured both painful losses and great triumphs, like Mason County’s first Sweet 16 Champ-ionship in 2003. Former Royals basketball coach and University of Hawaii Pacific assistant athletics director, Kelly Wells expressed his gratitude for Warner’s efforts over the years. It really meant everything. Those are the fondest memories I have, outside having my first child and getting married. Those are probably the greatest memories I’ll ever have, Wells said. The pictures he took during those times are unforgettable. We have them in some cherished areas. In fact, those are some of only things we brought with us to Hawaii. During a phone interview on Wednesday, Wells talked about Warner’s affect on regional athletics and the stories they shared about friends at Morehead State University. I think he has affected more than just our Maysville area,” Wells said. “The things I remember about Bob is his willingness to go the extra mile. He was one of those special types of people that was out there trying to help others be successful. I think it’s a great loss for the community. Former Ledger Independent sports editor, Chuck Truesdell worked with Warner on several projects in an attempt to bring the broadest coverage of local sports. Everywhere we went, Bobby was the Ledger, Truesdell said. If you went to a basketball game, and even if you had been a sports writer and people knew who you were, if they didn’t see Bobby on the sidelines taking a picture they weren’t sure the game was being covered that night. He just personified everything about Maysville area sports. WFTM commentator Danny Weddle knew Warner for more than 14 years. He elevated the quality of pictures. I think he put the athletes first, I just think he took it to a new level,” Weddle said. “I just remember a lot of times getting to the gym before him and seeing him walk in. He always had a camera strapped to him, and he’d bring out that big lens. When you saw Bob, you knew it was professional. Tony Boyd is a contributing sports writer with The Ledger Independent. I didn’t realize how much he meant (to local sports) until he got hurt. Now everywhere I go, there is at least one person to ask how he was doing,” Boyd said. “That just made me realize he had become sort of synonymous with local sports. Working with both the Mason County baseball and football teams, Chris Ullery often saw Warner trying to find the best shot. He was such a kind spirit,” Ullery said. “When I was doing both sports, there was a time when we just got done with our blue/white spring game, and I had to leave right afterwards to get the baseball field ready. He mentioned to me (he’d pitched) what I did, into some type of story he was looking into. I didn’t think I was very deserving, but it was a really nice gesture by him. Warner cared about more than just taking photoraphs. He was always there under the basket trying to get the best shot,” Augusta boys basketball coach Robin Kelsch said. “I remember when he came up to take photos of a class project we were doing. It was drizzling rain and most photographers would have been there for a couple minutes and got right back in the car. But (Bobby) stayed around and helped out, scraping paint for over an hour in the rain. Mason County athletic director Fred Hester spoke fondly of Warner on Wednesday. He seemed to really love his work. I always admired him as a professional and looked upon him as a friend,” Hester said. When you had a big sporting event Bobby was there. Warner may be best remembered without his camera. He was one of first people that I met when I came to Maysville. I just remember thinking if everyone in Maysville is like him, this is going to be a great place,” Buchanan said. He’s always been such a wonderful person to be around. He’s the type of guy that when you met him, you knew you were meeting a special person.

Contact Jeremy Germann at Jeremy.Germann@@lee.net.

Source: Link To This Article: http://maysville-online.alerisdata.com/article.asp?catid=1&articleid=12518

Added to family with permission from Betty Coutant Co-workers, family react to loss of Bob Warner By: BETTY COUTANT, News Editor Submitted: 2/3/2005

Bob Warner's photograph of the Security Bank and Trust holdup in April 2002, won a member showcase award from the Associated Press. Bob Warner wore many hats during his life including husband, father, Christian, and journalist. Upon learning of his death Wednesday, those who knew him best in the latter role shared their thoughts. He was a journalist,' his wife Julia Warner said while speaking about a photo Warner took several years ago of an accident in which Julia and the couple's son Jim were in. Bobby walked up and when he saw it was nothing life-threatening, he went to his car and picked up his camera. He said 'It's news whether it's your family or not, it's news. That was how he looked at it. Warner worked for The Ledger Independent 15 years and made his mark. Whether by snapping pictures of a bank robbery chase or Miss America, he knew he was chronicling history. His coworkers spoke about him Wednesday:

-- Publisher Bob Hendrickson: Bob Warner had worked for the newspaper for 15 years. I'd like to think I hired him for the job, but actually he just walked in and took over after Leo McKay decided to pursue a career in law enforcement. Bobby was one of those people you felt you had known all your life. He cared about his family and he cared about this newspaper. He was a fine photographer, a loyal employee and a good friend. I speak for the newspaper and the community when I say that our hearts go out to Julia Warner and her family. They have undergone a tremendous ordeal and they will be in our thoughts and prayers in the days ahead.

-- Managing Editor Mary Ann Kearns: This is a sad day for everyone at The Ledger Independent. Bob Warner was not only a co-worker, but a friend and an important part of our extended family. The history of the communities we cover have played out before the lens of his camera. We will miss that perspective on our world almost as much as we will miss him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Julia, his children and grandchildren as they cope with their loss.

-- Photographer Brian Hitch: I've worked with Bobby for almost five years. He loved taking photos. Whether he was working or not, he always had on his photo vest and a camera close by. I'd hate to guess how many photos he snapped over the years. Good or bad, he's pretty much photographed it all. He took the bad with the good, realizing it was all just a part of the job. His camera became an extension of himself, expressing all that was important to him.

-- Production Manager John Arn: Bobby was more than a co-worker, he was a good friend. I felt Bobby went out of his way to lend a helping hand to his friends and the community. He always put The Ledger Independent first. He will be greatly missed at The Ledger Independent.

-- Advertising Manager Patty Moore: Bobby could capture a life-changing moment or emotion before the average person would noticed it happened. His passion for life shined through his photography, his dedication to this newspaper, and above all in his love for his family. He will be remembered by all.

-- Circulation Manager Marsha Fritz: Bobby never seemed to miss a day visiting us in the circulation department. I think he came in to keep us informed of the day’s events so that we wouldn’t miss an opportunity to sell more newspapers. The newspaper was very important to Bobby and we looked forward to his daily visits. It hasn’t been the same without him.

-- Features writer Laura Rains: I learned so much about photography and especially photojournalism by watching Bobby work. His camera never left his side. He knew that the next big news story was only seconds away and he wanted to make sure the public saw it in The Ledger Independent the next morning. His instincts as a photojournalist were second to none.

-- Photographer Terry Prather: Not only was Bobby an excellent photographer, he was a close friend and a great teacher. He taught me how to see the little things that make great pictures. I try to put a little of Bobby Warner in each photo I take. I will miss him.

-- Design Editor Rusty Zeigler: 'The click of the shutter was magic to Bobby. He captured, juggled and edited his photos with all his heart and mind, never hurrying the process. He defended his photos like they were his children.

The right place at the right time ... Warner had a talent for capturing the moment By: JUSTIN STORY, Staff Writer Submitted: 2/3/2005

Bob captures the excitement of the 2003 Kentucky Derby. Over his 15 years at The Ledger Independent, Bob Warner always seemed to know just where to be to get the best shot for the front page. That quality was most evident at fires and crime scenes. His experience as a firefighter and as a member of the ambulance service in Montgomery County served Bob well when he came to Maysville to become a photographer for The Ledger Independent. Because he had once participated in their world and knew what they went through on the job, area law enforcement and firefighters conferred an extra degree of trust to Bob whenever he was at the scene of an accident or other emergency to shoot a photo. Former Maysville Police Chief Van Ingram recalled how that trust was forged during his first encounter with Bobby. The first time I met Bob was around 1990, when we were doing a drug arrest, said Ingram. We were serving a warrant on a car at the edge of the bridge, and I saw a big guy get out to take pictures, so I had one of the officers approach him. Eventually, Ingram learned that Bob was The Ledger Independent's newest photographer, having moved here from Mount Sterling, where in addition to being a firefighter he had also taken pictures for the Mount Sterling Advocate. Major Tony Clayton of the Montgomery County Fire Department went on several runs with the man he called Bubba. For most of the 1980s, Bob donned the turnout gear and rushed out with other members of the fire department to put out fires and save lives. Clayton said Bob was instrumental in seeing through the transition of Montgomery County's ambulance service from the control of funeral directors to Mary Childs Hospital in Mount Sterling. For all the hard work, though, Clayton remembers the down time with Bob at the department just as well. It was a great loss to us when he left here, said Clayton, as he recalled the many games of Rook they played together. Photography was his number one love next to Julia and his boys. Though he had moved to Maysville, Bob never forgot his friends in Mount Sterling. Bobby loved his job at the Ledger,' said Clayton. About six months after he moved, Bobby called me and said You've got to come down here, this town is great. Bob's rapport with area fire departments developed out of a mutual respect for each other's work, said Maysville Fire Chief Eric Bach. He was one of the first people who called me when I was promoted to chief, said Bach. As a photographer, Bob could process a hectic scene, and take the right picture from the right spot, using his camera to tell readers a story. He could touch people with his camera,' said Vanceburg Fire Chief James 'Bubbles' Switzer. I think he was probably the best news photographer I ever dealt with. He knew how to get a story without stepping on toes and he was always very courteous. Many firefighters and police officers say the picture for which Bob is best known is one shot in Fleming County in 2002. The award-winning picture shows several law enforcement officials with weapons drawn as they prepared to remove Lorri Ann Fischer, a suspected bank robber, from a getaway car after it crashed into a truck that acted as a roadblock outside of Flemingsburg. Fleming County Sheriff Jerry Wagner said he did not realize Bobby was on the scene as he and other officers worked to apprehend the suspects, one of whom committed suicide in the wrecked car. (Bobby) put his life on the line just like we did to get the picture, said Wagner, who met Bob shortly after being elected sheriff in 1989. When that photograph appeared on the front page of USA Today, I got calls from all around the country. Wagner added, I always found him to be a very fair and honest reporter. He could take the picture that actually gave the true story. Taking pictures of accident scenes requires a certain amount of cooperation between law enforcement and the media. While officials learned they could count on Bob to do his work without interfering with theirs, they still remained fascinated that he could always seem to arrive at the scene as quickly as they did. Often I wouldn't know how he found out what we were doing,' said Ingram. 'He was tenacious and determined to get the shot, and he had a good eye for what was going to look good. Bob's relationship with police officers and firefighters extended outside the professional world. His community service was excellent, especially in helping us with the duathlon and the Rosemary Clooney Festival,' said Maysville Police Chief Kent Butcher. 'He helped us in any way possible. For many who got to know Bob, his sudden death Wednesday leaves a void that will be hard to fill. It's amazing how quickly life can be cut short, and you figure there is a reason, but you never really know what the reason was, said Phil Day of the Orangeburg Volunteer Fire Department. Bob was definitely one of my better friends around.

Contact Justin Story at Justin.Story@@lee.net or 564-9091, ext. 276

Officials react to loss

Bob and I responded to many calls over the years, including vehicle accidents, drug busts, fires and many other events. Bob was a professional in every way, He did his job as a photographer, keeping in mind that his first duty was to obtain the photographs and information that he needed, but also to not hinder the role of emergency personnel as he had served in this role himself. -- Mason County Sheriff Tony Wenz

I liked him and have known him for many years, going back to my time at the Kentucky State Police. I've always found him very friendly, very courteous and just a good person. -- Lewis County Sheriff Bill Lewis

Bob could tell a history of Maysville through his pictures. -- Maysville Police Chief Kent Butcher

We'd drink Ale-8 together and we would sit there and reminisce about when he worked for the fire department and ambulance in Montgomery County ... He never gave up hope. He always looked for tomorrow to be better. -- Phil Day, Orangeburg Volunteer Fire Department

I never had a qualm with him ... you could talk about anything with him. He had it on his mind that he was going to get back to work. -- Robertson County Sheriff Randy Insko

In Memory of Bob Warner, Chief Photographer, The Ledger Independent bobby.followtheriver.com

Colleagues remember friendly family man, innovator By: WENDY MITCHELL, Staff Writer Submitted: 2/3/2005

A stunned sense of loss permeated the newspaper industry Wednesday morning as the news of Bobby Warner's death hit fellow photojournalists. It was not hard to touch base with Warner's colleagues. He collected business cards from his associates that crossed the nation. When I think of a family man I think of Bobby Warner. It was easy to see the love he had for his wife and sons, said Don Barker of Murphy Photography in Lexington. Bobby was a friend to an awful lot of photographers here (in Kentucky) and in Ohio, said Ed Reinke of the Associated Press. He shot some remarkable pictures over the years. It was always a pleasure to be on a shoot with Bobby. In his quiet way he was always helpful and sharing, said AP freelance photographer David Kohl upon hearing the news. I can't believe he is gone. He was always cutting up when we all got together, said Frank Anderson, chief photographer at the Lexington Herald Leader. Warner was a man to be remembered, even if he only met you once. I guess my memory of Bob is seeing him pull up in the van along with Jim and his dog, Jasper, for photo assignments, said Michael Embry executive editor of the Kentucky Monthly. Bob had this mountain-man appearance, but once he flashed his gentle smile, the photo subject would feel instantly at ease. Bobby was always in a good mood and never failed to speak to me when we were working together, said Keith Taylor, sports editor of the Winchester Sun. That meant a lot to me. Taylor told of a time when Warner declined to join him on the roof of a baseball dugout during a regional baseball tournament. I told him to come up the ladder but Bobby said 'No thanks, I don't do that anymore ... ever since I almost got hit with a ball, recalled Taylor. John Flavel, chief photographer for The Daily Independent in Ashland had known and worked with Warner for 15 years. He recognized Warner as an innovator in photojournalism. Colleagues echoed the sentiment, repeating that Warner was an immense talent. Warner grew up in the age of darkroom photographic techniques, but transitioned into the digital age with ease. Bobby was ahead of the curve when it came to darkroom techniques, remembered Dan Manley, sports editor for the Mount Sterling Advocate. Everyone I know is shooting (photos) in a different way today because of Bobby, said Flavel. He was always researching changes in technology to find what worked best for him, said Barker. Manley couldn't remember how long he had known Warner, the two were on rival baseball teams in high school. Warner played for Bath County High School. Bobby learned the value of athletics to youth, at an early age, said Manley. He was always eager to go the extra mile, even if it was off the beaten path, to show young people in their best light. To fellow journalists, Warner was an unofficial ambassador for Maysville and Mason County sports. Several colleagues recalled Warner as a fixture at University of Kentucky ball games and the Kentucky Derby, but his heart was always with the teams in Mason County. He was always talking about the great things going on in Maysville, said Barker. He loved that place.

Contact Wendy Mitchell at wendy.mitchell@@lee.net or call 606-564-9091, ext. 370. Find This Article: http://www.bobby.followtheriver.com/articles/page.asp?articleid=4133

From: Justin Story [1] Sent: Friday, February 04, 2005 10:21 AM To: Darrell Warner Subject: RE: Bobby Warner

Darrell, You have my blessing. At a meeting at work other day, all the reporters talked about how the stories we have done would make great presents to Bobby's children and future generations, illustrating how the community will remember him. Thanks, Justin Story Staff Writer The Ledger-Independent 120 Limestone Street Maysville, KY 41056

-----Original Message----- 

From: Darrell Warner [2] Sent: Thursday, February 03, 2005 9:20 PM To: Justin Story Subject: Bobby Warner Hi Justin,

            I was reading your story on line about Bobby and I wanted to see if I could get your permission to copy and post your story in Bobby's family tree file.  I am the Warner family historian and Bobby was a part of our family tree.  It would be posted on line in his family notes at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~warner/surnames.htm

Thank you, Darrell Warner

From: Betty Coutant [3] Sent: Friday, February 04, 2005 10:35 AM Warner, Bobby James "Bubba"

To: Darrell Warner Subject: RE: Contact - bobby.followtheriver.com

Darrell, Feel free to use anything we have. Betty Coutant

From: Darrell Warner [4] Sent: Thursday, February 03, 2005 9:13 PM To: May News Subject: Contact - bobby.followtheriver.com

I am the Warner family historian and Bobby was a part of our tree. I would like to get you permission to copy and post the articles you have written about Bobby in his family file at the Warner Family Tree located at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~warner/surnames.htm

Thank you, Darrell Warner

From: Jeremy Germann [5] Sent: Sunday, February 06, 2005 1:52 PM To: Darrell Warner Subject: RE: Bobby Warner You have my permission to post the article.

Warner, Bobby James "Bubba"

1. ↑ Research done by and information looked up by Darrell Warner. Interview of Margaret (Stone) Warner by Darrell Warner.
2. ↑ Research done by and information looked up by Darrell Warner. Kentucky Birth, Marraige and Death Databases CD from Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives. Research by Darrell Warner..