100 Going On Sixty

100

GOING ON SIXTY

by Jean Eisenmann | Birthday & Warren Fata photo courtesy of Debbi Fata, Proclamation photo Courtesy of Town of Hickory Creek

Have you ever met a pistol? No, not the weapon, but someone whose personality can be summed up using that term. A person described as a ‘pistol’ displays great enthusiasm and positive energy. It’s a compliment to one who is outgoing, social, and the sort you don’t easily forget. Undeniably, Warren Fata is a pistol.

Warren is also a centenarian. A beloved citizen of Hickory Creek for over 25 years, Warren was born in Mount Union, Pennsylvania 100 years ago on March 4th, 1921. His father relocated the family to Chicago in 1930. Warren loved the city, but he visited Texas in 1994 to see his son Roger, who had made the wise move to the Lone Star State. A year later, Warren himself was a Texan.

“My dear wife, Rose Ruth Maul Fata, passed away in 2008,” Warren reflected, with a sadness that only the loss of one’s soulmate can evoke. “After that, life has never been the same.”

Yet, life is good. Their union produced Warren and Roger. Roger and his wife Debbie have given him two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, all living in Arizona.

“Before the pandemic I’d see them a couple of times a year, so I’m looking forward to doing that again,” Warren said.

He resides in Hickory Creek with eldest son Warren, but spends a lot of time with Roger and Debbie. They live in Corinth, 4.5 miles away, and Warren drives to and from pretty much every day.

The citizens of Hickory Creek hold Warren in high regard as a valuable resident and dedicated volunteer. Mayor Lynn Clark presented him with a proclamation on behalf of the town commemorating his turning 100. As devoted citizens, for several years he and wife Rose served as election judges overseeing the voting booths. Warren also became part of the Hickory Creek Planning and Zoning Commission for several years. And he held a city council seat, serving from 2004 to 2006.

“It was a very interesting time in my life, and I enjoyed it very much,” Warren commented.

Sadly, his wife fell ill, and dedicating his time to caring for her became his new commitment.

His life unfolds like a program on the History Channel. Warren was a valuable asset during nearly all four years of service in World War II. Though he desperately wanted to serve overseas and made several attempts at being deployed, his country needed him most in Boise, Idaho, repairing bomber planes. In fact, he was commissioned to Washington, D.C. to be part of the team that inspected the Enola Gay at Andrews Field in Maryland!

“That was one of the highlights of my life,” Warren remarked.

After the war, Warren returned home to Chicago and landed a job in a machine shop, which blossomed into a 36-year career. When the company was sold in 1986, Warren had achieved the level of vice-president.

Still vital and articulate, every morning Warren begins his day reading the Bible. He still drives, pays bills, attends church, and enjoys his coffee and sweets.

“One day, dad got the car washed and filled the gas tank, shopped for groceries, and spread three bags of mulch on the yard,” Roger said of his dad. ‘He wondered why he felt tired!”

Warren’s words of advice: “Love thy neighbor, go to church, and thank God for every day.”

And his key to longevity? “Maybe eat one grapefruit every morning.”