Jeffrey Warren

Jeffrey Warren, a true son of the landscape whose life journey spanned from the open prairie of North Dakota, to the high peaks of Colorado, to the night clubs of Paris, to the beaches of Hawaii, to the rolling hills of Texas, passed away on December 16, 2025 at the age of 70, leaving behind a legacy of music, memories of loyal canine companions, and a life well lived.

A Celebration of Life reception for Jeff Warren will be held at the Eagles Club in Mandan on Saturday, August 1, 2026 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Please join the Warren family to share remembrances and celebrate the life of our beloved musician, dog-lover, Brother, Uncle, and all-around great guy.

Born in Hazen, North Dakota, February 19, 1955 to Duncan and Myrle (Townsend) Warren, Jeff graduated from Mandan High School where he excelled as a trumpet player in the school band. He was selected to march in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, and performed in the National Concert Band at The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. It was during his high school years that Jeff learned to play guitar, later moving to bass guitar and upright double bass. His musical talent took him and Cyrus - the first of his many Golden Retrievers - to Colorado where he was a member of several bands, Menthol Greens Band and Crossfire. From rock to jazz, Jeff continued his music studies at Berklee School of Music in Boston, where connections with international musicians led to gigs in Paris night clubs. The Jeff Warren Trio gained recognition at The Elevox Open Jazz Competition for Original Composition: Jazz category. For many years Jeff performed and recorded with local Denver musicians while he composed music for his cd, ‘The Muses’ Call’.

Jeff’s love of music could never be replaced, but there came a time when maybe there was just a bit of a hush between the notes, not much, but just enough for the next Golden - Miles of Smiles - to wriggle his way into Jeff’s heart and start writing the next chapter of Jeff’s life. One cannot think of Jeff, or picture him without a Golden Retriever by his side - at least one, often more. Over the years, Cyrus (’74), Miles (’86), Jaco (‘94), Kicker (‘98), Gunner (‘98), Billie (‘02), Red (’07), Sheena (’11), Theo (’14), Trane (’14), and Louie (’24) kept Jeff busy training and competing in retriever field trials around the country. Jeff’s dedication to his dogs and the sport was evidenced by a wall full of ribbons, certificates, and awards of local and national recognition. Often training in the North Dakota summer and the Colorado spring and autumn seasons, the past several years took him to wintering in the Texas Hill Country where he could continue training while enjoying the warmer weather and the companionship of fellow trainers and travelers.

Jeff was a loyal friend to many, and cherished each and every friendship. He moved through the world with a generous heart bringing humor and great conversation, and leaving paw prints, melodies and memories wherever he went. He will be remembered for his unwavering love for family, friends – and friends who became his family.

Jeff is survived and dearly missed by his brother John (Rebecca) Warren of Mandan ND; sister Jo Warren of Santa Fe, NM; niece Sara Harrie of Napa CA; and a wide circle of friends, fellow musicians, and many dog owners whose lives he touched.

“Life is what you celebrate. All of it. Even its end”

If you feel so inclined, memorials can be sent to: Golden Retriever Freedom Rescue, PO Box 103130, Denver, CO 80250 (https://www.goldenretrieverfreedom.com/) which was instrumental in caring for Theo and Trane; Central Dakota Humane Society 2104 37th St, Mandan, ND 58554 (https://cdhs.net/); or a music charity (local/national) of your choice.