Obituary of Totten Kenneth Warfield Sr.

WARFIELD, TOTTEN KENNETH, SR.

7/25/1924 – 4/30/2022

A beloved son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, business entrepreneur, philanthropist and world traveler, Totten Kenneth Warfield, Sr., 97, passed away peacefully on April 30, 2022.

Totten was born on July 25, 1924, in Chicago, Illinois to Helen Totten Warfield and John David Warfield, Jr. When Totten was at a young age, the John David Warfield, Jr. family spent winters traveling to Southern Arizona, and sent Totten and older brother John D. Warfield, III, to the San Rafael Valley, Sonoita, Arizona to help his Aunt Katherine Hutchinson, his father’s sister, build “The Little Outfit Ranch” school. It was during this time, that Totten fell in love with Southern Arizona.

After graduating from Lake Forest Academy, Illinois, he signed up for World War II Active Service on July 30, 1943, 5 days after his 19th birthday.

His Active Service included Combat Intelligence School, Air Crew School, and Surgical Technician School. His decorations included: 2 Overseas Service Bars; American Campaign Medal; Good Conduct Medal; World War II Victory Medal; European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Battle Stars - Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe.

Soon after his return from World War II, he married Leila Marie Hammel, on August 2, 1947, at the Riverside Presbyterian Church. His love for Southern Arizona moved them to Tucson in 1947, where they resided in Polo Village, a World War II Veteran Village for married couples, and where Leila co-founded the Polo Village Nursery School and Totten served as the mayor.

While attending the University of Arizona pursuing a degree in Business, running for the University of Arizona Track Team, and resurrecting the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, Totten and Leila opened three Zesto ice cream stores, while simultaneously building a family of four children: Totten Kenneth Warfield, Jr.; Thomas Kevin Warfield, Sr.; Susan Marie Warfield and Pamela Ann Warfield.

Totten always loved sweets. As a child and until his passing, he always asked what was for dessert so he could adjust his dinner meal to accommodate his number of dessert servings. It is no wonder, as the long lineage of chocolate, spices, and coffee was strong in his blood with the Warfield Spice Company, (John D. Warfield Sr., Totten’s Grandfather, bought out Thomson & Taylor Spice Company in 1900), Warfield Chocolate Company, Warfield Coffee Company, and the Warfield Sterling Glass Company, all in business from 1863 - 1988.

During Totten and his brother’s childhood, their home was “more than a touch of spice.” As Totten wrote, “All of my dad’s clothes had taken on the scent of chocolate, spices, and coffee, and if you closed your eyes, you would think you were in the factory.”

Graduating from the University of Arizona with a B.A. degree in Business and Public Administration, earning a Varsity Letter in Track and Field, Totten began work at Hughes Aircraft Company in 1955 and served as a Senior Subcontract Administrator for the Phoenix Missile Program, and as he liked to say, “I work for Howard Hughes.”

Totten was exceptional at studying maps, and geography and was always planning the next family adventure. Growing up in the Warfield family was a blast with weekends and holidays filled with backpacking, boating, camping, climbing mountains, skiing and adventures in Canada, Alaska, and all parts of Mexico.

Totten was an ardent fan of the Chicago White Sox, University of Arizona athletics and Studebaker automobiles. He had a keen brain for math, history and music and a steel-trapped memory. He was also a man of self-discipline. After helping his four children with homework and evening chores, he would take off and run three miles, no matter the time of evening (allowing him to enjoy more dessert). Despite this level of self-control, he was fun, silly, loving and believed in the good of all people.

During this period, Totten and his good friend, Harold “Hap” Howell, started Boy Scout Troop #125. Totten and Hap took their scouts, including their sons, on many adventurous trips, and were proud that they helped several boys reach Eagle Scout status.

Leila and Totten retired in 1982 and traveled the world visiting over 137 countries.

Both Totten and Leila volunteered with the Perimeter Bicycling Association of America for 33 years, as well as 18 years with the Arizona Cancer Center. Totten served as a Scout Master for 15 years, and they were members at St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church for over 60 years.

Leila and Totten were married for 73 years, and as Dad always said, “I married the Love of my Life.”

Totten was preceded in death by his wife, Leila, and oldest son, Totten K. Warfield Jr. (Donna). Totten is survived by his three children: Thomas K. Warfield, Sr. (Karen); Susan Warfield Preimesberger (Neal); Pamela Warfield Sands (Jeff); half-sister Janan Warfield Myers; eight grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; nephew Winston Scott Warfield (Debbie); and niece Joan Phoebe Warfield.

The Warfield family is grateful for the loving and dedicated care from the staff at Handmaker’s Assisted Living and to Casa de la Luz Hospice Care, and to all the friends and family who visited, sent cards, letters, and gifts. A personal and loving tribute belong especially to caregivers Brenda Samson and Louise Zamora who remained loyal and faithful to Leila and Totten until their last moments.

Services for Totten will be held at Black Oak Pioneer Cemetery, Canelo, AZ, south of Sonoita on highway 83, on September 17th, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. where he will rest next to his beloved wife, Leila. A “Celebration of Lives” for both Leila and Totten will be held at Sonoita Vineyards, Elgin, AZ following the 5:00 p.m. Service.

A special thank you to Adair Funeral Home, Dodge Chapel.

In memory of his son, Totten K Warfield, Jr., Totten Sr. would appreciate any donations made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association https://www.lbda.org