1938-2026
Obituary (Slightly Unfiltered Edition)
On Wednesday, February 3rd, 2026, Warren Denning of Wichita officially drove off into the sunset. Having spent recent years collecting ailments like some folks collect parking tickets, Warren finally decided enough was enough and took his leave peacefully at a long-term care facility (the nurses report he was ready to go and had started giving them life advice weeks in advance).
Broom Corn Royalty
Born on April 27, 1938, in Wichita, Warren was the son of John “Broom Corn King” Denning and the ever-glamorous Effie, legendary socialite and philanthropist. Warren had three older siblings, two brothers and a sister - some whole, some half, and then the youngest, Warren, who was half-cocked.
Personality: Larger Than Life (and Louder, Too)
Warren believed in living “out loud” - and, as his friends would tell you, sometimes turned up to eleven. His conversations were a competitive sport, featuring semi-insulting jokes, dashes of self-deprecation, and more cultural references than a season of Jeopardy! He was a certified prairie sophisticate: equally at home quoting poetry or elbow-deep in axle grease, and never happier than when riding his Harley to meet friends at a local diner or touring two-up through the Rockies with his wife Carol, in full leathers, riding right behind. His passion for music and acoustic guitars rivaled his love for motorcycles and fast cars - yes, he really did drive a 600 HP Rousch-modified Mustang till the very end. You probably heard him coming.
The Foundry: Where Kitsch Meets Genius
As the mastermind behind the 1970’s famed music venue and tavern, The Foundry, Warren turned interior design into an Olympic event. If you saw antiques, artifacts, old machinery, car parts, and mannequins all somehow cohabiting peacefully, you’d walked into The Foundry - or into Warren’s living room. His devotion to collecting kitschy Americana didn’t fade; in fact, some say “kitschy Americana” is an apt description of Warren himself.
Click, Flash, Duct Tape: The Photographer’s Return
Post-Foundry, Warren circled back to his artistic roots in photography, a craft he studied at Art Center College of Design during a stint in Los Angeles. His studio served commercial clients like Coleman and Pioneer Balloons, who probably still talk about those legendary shoots involving strobes, servos, wires, assistants, and enough duct tape to make MacGyver jealous. He modestly claimed his photography was “competent,” but everyone knew his real magic was in orchestrating impossible shots - before Photoshop, mind you. He kept the shutter clicking until his reluctant retirement at the tender age of 80.
Who’s Left in the Pit Crew?
In addition to a few skid marks and dented fenders, evidence of Warren’s drive-by includes a well-lubricated assortment of children and grandchildren and a motley collection of colorful friends, all of whom will carry on his tradition of witty banter and questionable advice. A private service is in the works for later.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Warren Lowell Denning, please visit our floral store.
Funeral Home in Charge
