Warren Edward Jones, age 89, of Rome, passed away on March 2, 2026, at the Wynn Hospital in Utica with his son, Andrew, at his bedside.

Warren was born in Utica on December 25, 1936, to Newton Rees and Blanche Biancani Jones. He earned his bachelor's degree from St. Lawrence University and master's degree from Colgate University. On September 22, 1968, he was united in marriage to Judith Goessling. They both taught in the Rome School District for over 35 years.

Warren loved sports. There seemed to be few he did not play well, and even fewer that he could not watch with an expert's eye. He followed closely the exploits of his children and grandchildren in rugby, ice hockey, tennis, field hockey, soccer, and whitewater canoe racing. He was a lifelong fan of Philadelphia teams having grown up following the Phillies' minor league baseball team in Utica. Nevertheless, he left enough room to root for the Buffalo Bills and Carolina Hurricanes.

He had a quick and analytical mind. As a young adult, he was a skilled navigator on a local road rally team-using only paper, pencil and clock to accurately calculate routes and make checkpoints. When dining out, it was useless to pull out a calculator to determine a tip; Warren already had the answer before you could press a button. This made him exceedingly daunting to play cards against though he was an excellent partner. He was extraordinarily patient in explaining how he did all these things even when it seemed hopeless that the explanation would take. While his love of bridge will pass with him, his love of mathematics and problem-solving is well-represented in his descendants.

Warren had a strong sense of fairness and belief in teamwork. Something that stood him in good stead as a negotiator for the Rome Teachers' Union and as president of St. John's Lutheran Church Congregation.

His favorite place was the Canadian lake cottage that he and his family would frequent. It was there that memories were made with the friends and family he cherished the most.

Warren is survived by his loving wife, Judy; his children, Eric (April) Jones, Sara (Steven) Swartz, and Andrew (Heidi) Jones; his grandchildren, Sam, Phoebe, Tyler, Paige, Henry, and Edward; his twin sisters, Marie (Jerry) Duink and Carol Kunkel, who helped care for him; and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends. He was predeceased by his brothers, Richard and Norman Jones, and his godchild, Cheryl Bassett.

Warren's funeral will be held on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 12 PM at St. John's Lutheran Church, 502 W. Chestnut Street, Rome. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in the spring.

Relatives and friends may pay their respects from 10 AM to 12 PM at St. John's Lutheran Church prior to the funeral.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Lawrence University (https://www.givecampus.com/w7uf4s) or the Kelberman Center (https://www.kelberman.org/giving/donate/).

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street, Rome.

Please offer online condolences at: www.barryfuneralhome.