ONIS C. "STUBBY" WARDEN, 89, of Dallas and formerl
of Ranger, TX passed away on Dec. 25, 2004, with burial
in Evergreen Cemetery in Ranger.
Stubby was born Jan. 22, 1915 in Bennett, TX to Earnest
Eugene and Emma Sweek Warden. He graduated from Ranger High
School in 1936 Where he earned a football scholarship to Texas
A&M University. Stubby married Juanita Kimbrough (RHS-1937) in
August of 1936 in Mt. Pleasant, TX. Stubby coached for
Clarendon from 1939 to 1942 when he entered the U.S. Navy
serving from 1942 to 1946. They returned to Ranger where he
coached for the high school, winning the 1953 state football
championship. He went on to coach, teach and work as an
administrator in Ranger and Eastland for the next 35 years.
He was very active in the community, serving as Ranger Mayor
from 1980 to 1983, Chamber of Commerce manager, Ranger Lions
Club, the Industrial Foundation, Ranger Boys Club and Board
of Regents for Ranger College. In 2000, Coach Stubby Warden
was inducted into the Texas High School Coaches Association
Hall of Honor. He was a member of the First Baptist Church
in Ranger where he served as deacon for over 50 years.
Stubby is survived by his wife of 68 years, Juanita Warden of
Dallas; daughter, Marilyn Cundiff (RHS-1960) and husband, Ray
of Dallas; son, Jerry Warden (RHS-1965) and wife, Diane of San
Antonio; three grandchildren, Cynthia Young of Kingwood, Mark
Warden of Fort Irwin, California and Kimberely Stein of Memphis,
Tennessee; two great-grandchildren, Will and Elizabeth Ann
Stein and numerous nieces and nephews.
1934 Football Champions
1953 State Champions
Mayors of Ranger
RHS-Stubby Warden To Be Honored
O.C. "Stubby" Warden was inducted into the Texas High
School Coaches Association Hall of Honor. The induction
ceremonies were be held at the Radisson Astrodome Hotel
in the Sam Houston Ballroom at 1:00pm on August 2, 2000.
Stubby graduated from Ranger High School in 1935. During
high school, he won several football honors and played
in the first sun Bowl game in El Paso in 1935. After
high school, Stubby received a football scholarship to
attend Texas A&M and graduated in 1939. Wardens first
coaching position was at Clarendon High School from 1939-
1942. He served as an officer in the Navy from 1942-1946.
He then returned to his home town of Ranger to coach the
Ranger Bulldogs and in 1953 his won the Class A State
Championship. Stubby served as a coach, teacher and
administrator for 35 years in Texas public schools.
Over the years Mr. Warden has been very active in his
community. He was Ranger Chamber of Commerce Manager for
10 years and was elected Mayor from 1980-83. Stubby
received the Golden Deeds Award for outstanding service
to the community in 1980. He was named Ranger High School
Execs Distinguished Alumni in 1984 and was chosen Lion's
Club Lion of the Year for 1996-97. He had the distinguished
honor of having Bulldog Stadium renamed O.C. Warden Stadium
in 1996. He is a deacon in the First Baptist Church.
Mr. Warden married Juanita Kimbrough (RHS-1937), his high
school sweetheart, in 1936. They have a daughter, Marilyn
(RHS-1960), living in Dallas and a son, Jerry (RHS-1965),
who lives in San Antonio.
At age 85 Mr. Warden is still very active in the community
and is presently serving on the Board of Regents at Ranger
College. (Ranger Times)
Coach O.C. (Stubby) Warden induction into Football Coaches Hall of
Honor in Houston on Aug. 2, 2000. Buddy Hamrick (RHS Class of 1950),
and Stubby's wife Juanita and son, Jerry Warden
Coach O.C. Warden's ceremony table