Harold B. Warfield

Harold Bertzel Warfield of Watkinsville, GA, formerly of Lutz, FL, passed peacefully to his heavenly home on Friday February 21, 2020 at the age of 96. Harold was born to parents, Roger Winfield Warfield and Grace Mae (Bertzel) Warfield in Tampa, FL on December 23, 1923. He had two older sisters and two younger brothers. His parents bought a house and small farm in Lutz in 1924 and moved there when Harold was 10 months old. He, with his family, was a member and attended Seminole Heights Baptist Church.  He attended elementary and junior high school in Lutz and then graduated from Hillsborough High School in Tampa, in 1941. Upon graduation he worked as a machinist apprentice at Continental Can Company.

Sixteen days before his 18th birthday Pearl Harbor was bombed by the Japanese, forever changing his life and that of so many. He enlisted in the Navy in 1942 and was sent for training in Boston, MA. After training he joined the USS Wilkes DD441, in New York before setting sail for North Africa. From the Fall of 1942 thru June of 1945 he served in the forward engine room in exotic places like Morocco, Casablanca, Sicily, Malta, Papua New Guinea, Guam, Saipan, Tinian, Philippine Islands, Palau, Okinawa, and Korea to name a few. He was proud of being a “Tin Can Sailor”. He left the Navy in 1948 as a Machinist Mate 1st Class and returned home to Lutz.

Upon returning home he went to work for Tampa Electric Company. In 1951 he met and married Geraldine “Gerry” Stephens. They were married for 62 years. Soon after getting married Harold was called back into service from June 1951-June 1953 for the Korean War. After the Korean War he again returned home, started a family and continued his career at Tampa Electric Company working his way up to Supervisor of Plant Operations, Gannon Station, retiring in 1986 after “37 years of devoted service”. He was an active father who raised his children with a love for God, country and family. It can definitely be said that he “trained up a child in the way he should go…” just as he had been raised.

When he retired, Harold and Gerry became Volunteer Missionaries through the Baptist Mission Board in North America and Brazil until 2004. In 1989 they moved to Watkinsville, GA to be near family. Harold enjoyed hunting and fishing his entire life, well in to his 90’s.

Harold was an avid reader and spent many hours reading in his later years. He enjoyed telling stories to his children and grandchildren (and everyone else) about his youth, Navy experiences, and mission travels.

He was passionate about missions and serving the Lord Jesus. He was a lifelong Southern Baptist and had served faithfully in many Baptist Churches in Florida and Georgia. At the time of his death he was a member at Briarwood Baptist Church.

He was dearly loved and cherished and will be remembered as a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and uncle.

Harold is survived by 4 children, Burns(Karen) Warfield of Madison, GA, Linda(Ken) Coleman of Tiger, GA, Wayne( Arlette) Warfield of Tampa, FL, and Mark(Janet) Warfield of Watkinsville, GA ; Grandchildren, Sarah Warfield Roth(Nathan), Elizabeth Warfield(fiancé Greg),Rachel Warfield, Hannah Warfield, Chase Coleman(Kim), India Coleman, Joelle Lee-Heymans(Garl), Thirza Lee(Marcel), Austin Marx and Great Grandchildren, Caydence, Gage, Kyle, London, and Celine.

He is also survived by a brother, Craig(Amie)Warfield, and many nieces and nephews.

Harold was preceded in death by his wife, Geraldine Stephens Warfield, son, Gary Stephen Warfield, parents Roger and Grace Warfield, sisters, Wilma Abbott Payne and Clara Alice Stocky, and brother, Willard “Bill” Warfield.

The family would like to thank everyone for their love and support at this time, especially to Tracey Lewis, for her dedication and care for Harold as well as to the staff of St. Mary’s Home Hospice Care.

Family will receive friends from 6-8 pm Friday, February 28 at Lord and Stephens Funeral Home 1211 Jimmy Daniel Rd Watkinsville.

Funeral Service will be held Saturday, February 29 at 2PM at Briarwood Baptist Church with Rev. Rick Standard officiating. Mr. Warfield will lie in state from 1pm to 1:50 pm prior to the service. A graveside service and burial will follow immediately after the service at the Warfield Family Cemetery on Colham Ferry Road.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Harold’s name may be made to: Global Samaritans 6561 Union Point Highway Union Point, GA 30669, Georgia Baptist Mission Board 6405 Sugarloaf Parkway Duluth, GA 30097, St Mary’s Hospice 1021 Jamestown Blvd Suite 215 Watkinsville, GA 30677.

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, WEST, 1211 Jimmy Daniel Road, Watkinsville, GA is in charge of arrangements.