Steve Allen Warren

PLEASE NOTE, EDITED VERSION: Steven A. Warren, age 69, of Grand Rapids traveled the road to his heavenly home on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, following a battle with cancer. Steve was born in Muskegon, MI where in the first grade he met “my number one”, the love of his life, his wife, Jane. They started dating in high school and married three years after graduation in 1976. Steve had many interests and hobbies, but ahead of hunting, fishing, and golfing, “Papa’s” first love was attending his precious grandchildren‘s music, sports, and dance events. Steve bled Green in many ways! He loved being “on the 18th” Green at Thousand Oaks! He loved the Kent County Road Commission’s Green trucks! He loved his Michigan State Spartans (Go Green!). He and the Spartans both suffered through a challenging fall. He had a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Urban Planning degree with specialization in Transportation from MSU. Steve will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Jane Elliott; his daughters: Annie (Matt) Meyer, and Emily (Mitch) Blink, grandchildren: Josie and Jack Meyer; Ellie and Audrey Blink; his sister, Marcia Leonard; his brother, Jim (Carol) Warren; sisters-in-law: Elizabeth Forbes and Margaret Willman; many nieces, nephews, cousins, dear friends, and especially by his fur-baby, Phoebe. He was preceded in death by his parents: Don Warren, Dorothy (Warren) McCready, and stepfather, Ken McCready, parents-in-law: Henry and Alberta Elliott, and brother-in-law, Frank Willman. Steve worked for the Kent County Road Commission since 1988 and was named Managing Director in 2013. In addition to providing overall administrative leadership for over 10 years, Steve managed KCRC’s long and short range strategic planning programs, established an integrated asset management program, and led several major improvement projects. The road commission’s new central complex at 1900 4 Mile Rd. came to fruition under his vision and direction. Steve’s influence extended far beyond his role at KCRC. He was a long-standing board member of the County Road Association (CRA), having previously served terms as both president and vice president. He was also a founding member of Michigan’s Transportation Asset Management Council and previously served as chairman of both the Transportation Policy Committee and Regional Geographic Information System (REGIS) for the Grand Valley Metro Council. His leadership not only drove the road commission’s success but also influenced road agencies statewide. The KCRC was not only his place of business, it was his pride, passion, and second family. Steve will be remembered as a faith-filled, gentle man, who was incredibly strong, honest, and had an abundance of common sense. At the end of his life, the Corewell Health, Butterworth, 5th floor, oncology unit were all so caring and Emmanuel Hospice was very comforting to our family. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, February 2, at 12 p.m. at St. Jude Catholic Church, 1120 4 Mile Rd NE, Grand Rapids, with Fr. Patrick Cawley presiding. A luncheon will be provided following the service. Relatives and friends may meet the family Thursday, February 1, from 5-8 p.m., with a vigil starting at 7 p.m. at MKD Stegenga Funeral Chapel, 1601 Post Dr. NE, Belmont. Those who plan to attend the visitation, feel free to wear your green! Those who wish, may make memorial contributions to Emmanuel Hospice.