‘Chief’ Warren Grams had been around for quite sometime. As it turned out, 86 years. And those were good years, well spent, but I wasn’t quite ready to say goodbye. He and I had become good buddies, and now I have one less friend to help me through this battlefield called life. In that respect, we were comrades-in-arms.
The man was a fixture in Pagosa Springs since circa 1980 when he and his little family blew into town like a whirlwind. He started out here as an ace mechanic at the Texaco station and soon became a volunteer fireman. Warren had found his calling and within a few years, give or take, became Fire Chief – for 27 years! In the Navy, Warren had risen to the rank of Chief Petty Officer so being called “chief” was already part of his psyche. (In other words, it went to his head!)
George Strait wrote a song called “The Fireman” about a guy who constantly runs around town puttin’ out old flames. But that wasn’t our Warren. Our Warren loved fast cars and dangerous curves, but he was a one-woman-man. (One woman at a time, that is.) His beloved first wife, Kathleen — who incidentally owned a couple of little sports cars — sadly succumbed to cancer leaving Warren and his daughter, Leslie, and her two kids to fend for themselves. Time passed and the sadness slowly turned into sweet memories.
Fast forward to 2012. A pretty California girl, Kathleen Brown, was working downtown at Jackisch Drug. One fateful day she answered a phone call that changed her life once and for all. The voice on the other end was smooth as Tupelo honey. The gentleman was asking about a prescription, but suddenly Kathy, a wistful widow, was on cloud 9. Just like the Kenny Chesney song, Warren had her from “hello.” (The old dog was a charmer!)
One word, that’s all you said
Something in your voice called me, turned my head
It was September, 2012 when Warren asked Kathy out on a special date. The two lovebirds drove to Silverton enjoying the explosion of Autumnal colors throughout the glorious San Juan Mountains. Romance was in the air.
Your smile, just captured me
You were in my future as far as I could see
The couple dated for many months and then decided to tie the knot. On May 15, 2014 Warren and Kathy were married. The large reception was finally held at the Archuleta County Fair Extension Building on July 12, 2014. Of course, they hired their favorite band Tim Sullivan and Narrow Gauge with Bill Boyer on bass and yours truly on drums. A great time was enjoyed by all. And so it began…
It was all over from the start, you completely stole my heart
I never even had a chance you know
You had me from hello!
During the ensuing ten years the Chief and I slowly became good buddies. As it turned out, Warren had started playing drums while serving in the Navy at San Diego. I’m an Army vet and have been playing drums forever. Our mutual love of drumming was the impetus that brought us together – for better or worse. That and the knack we had to make each other laugh. And laugh we did!
Warren had a heart attack in November of 2019 but recovered nicely. And life went on. My arthritis got the best of me and my last gig was with Tim, New Year’s Eve, 2019 at the Glacier Club. Later on Warren, Kathy and I ran into each other at the Post Office and they made the colossal mistake of inviting me up to their cozy house atop Snob Hill overlooking beautiful downtown Pagosa. From then on I’d visit quite often for the funny conversations and the bottomless bowl of Hershey Kisses.
I met Warren’s brother from New York, his daughter Leslie — affectionately know as Shorty — Kathy’s daughter Donna and her kids, grandsons, and other oddballs. And no one seemed to question Warren and Kathy why in the name of God they were hanging out with such a weirdo as myself.
And then last year the Chief’s heart started giving him grief. He had been in and out of hospitals and emergency rooms in Pagosa Springs, Durango, and was scheduled for an operation in Colorado Springs. At this time I decided that I needed to see Warren every week — by hook or by crook — and let him know that I had his back. All the while his memory was failing. He’d started telling and retelling those old favorite “drumming” stories over and over again. And I let him go on because his eyes would light up every time he recalled his whimsical music career. No matter how bad it got I could always make the Chief laugh, and laughing is good medicine. He never seemed to be in any pain, although I’m sure Kathy would beg to differ.
I really think that his fickle memory helped to sooth him in a way. He did not have a troubled mind because he’d simply forget all his troubles. I’d consider myself lucky to go out that way.
All the while Kathy was taking good care of her ailing husband 24 / 7 without even batting an eye. She loved that man with all her heart and was going to make his remaining time as easy as she could for him. It was an amazing display of love and compassion — and fortitude! The woman deserves a medal.
Warren had to have a pacemaker installed because his heart rate was as slow as molasses. Kathy told me that Warren’s heart had been functioning at only 5% – 10% capacity… but now was at a mere 3%. The photo of Warren and me was taken at Caldwell’s Liberty Bar at the theater. I had asked Kathy if she would drive him down to have his daily glass of Merlot with me. I thank God that she did! It was the last time I saw him. Just look at that picture though. He’s as happy as a man can be.
A week later Kathy was getting Warren ready for bed when Warren looked her in the eye and whispered, “I don’t want to leave you . . .”
The Chief passed gently in his sleep.
A Celebration of Life honoring a wonderful man, Chief Warren Grams, was held Saturday, April 6, at the Ross Aragon Community Center, Pagosa Springs.