John Warren Steen, III

John Warren Steen, lll, who had a distinguished career in philanthropy and public service, died unexpectedly on Monday, February 26, 2024 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He served as Press Secretary to Senator E. Lawrence Davis and held leadership positions with the Greater Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce, Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina, and the Rye Foundation.

Born in Kentucky when his parents lived at Southern Seminary in Louisville, he grew up at the Baptist parsonage in Clayton, North Carolina, where his father was pastor of First Baptist Church and his mother was President of the Woman’s Club. They provided tremendous support and encouragement, stressing academic success and funding summer camp experiences and trips to London, Cairo, Paris, Vienna, and Rome.

During his tenth-grade year, the family moved to Nashville, Tennessee. Two years later, he returned to North Carolina to attend Wake Forest University, where he was sports editor of the Old Gold and Black, elected to student government, and studied in Moscow, Kiev, and Leningrad.

During his career in philanthropy, he worked with his friend and Piedmont Airlines’ founder Thomas H. Davis to launch the Tom Davis Runway for Success. Also, he helped to establish the annual Bryan Award to honor his friend and Goldsboro businessman Ray Bryan. Both programs helped hundreds of children throughout the state.

A man of deep faith, for twenty years Warren taught the weekly Bible lesson to his first grade Sunday School class at Ardmore Baptist Church. One of the great blessings of his life was having an opportunity to hold face-to-face meetings with many of his spiritual heroes, including Billy Graham, Chuck Colson, and Dr. James Dobson.

He especially enjoyed his involvement with Reynolda Rotary Club, where he served as club President, Chairman of the David Richards Memorial Polio Campaign, and Chairman of the Selection Committee for the Rotarian of the Year Award. In 2024, he received the Crotts-Burr Award for extraordinary dedication and commitment to the club in its first forty years of service.

Additionally, he was Founding Chairman of the Parents Council at the UNC School of Medicine and a member of the Board of Directors of the Wake Forest University Deacon Club. 

Grateful for his many opportunities and blessings, in 2001 he founded the Rye Foundation to make a life-changing impact on children by providing grants in the areas of religion, youth, and education across North Carolina. Under his leadership, over $1 million has been distributed to support programming for children with disabilities and incarcerated parents, and to build chapels, playgrounds, lodges, and cabins for children’s camps “from Murphy to Manteo.”

Warren was a people person. He was a devoted son, encouraging brother, caring husband, dedicated father, and doting grandfather. With his unmistakable smile, a firm handshake, and a positive word of encouragement, Warren demonstrated his abiding love for others in every room he entered. 

He was predeceased by his father, namesake, and role model, Rev. John Warren Steen, Jr. He is survived by his best friend and wife of forty-one years, Kathryn Dorr Steen; his mother, Dorothy Lipham Steen; two sisters, Annell Steen Fields (Richard) and Lucinda Steen Stewart (Tim); four special children, whom he adored: Dr. John W. Steen, IV; Dr. Bart Steen (Autumn); Matthew Steen (Anna); and Sarah Steen Morales (Andres); and five grandchildren: Jackson Morales, Eli Steen, Eva Steen, Felix Morales, and Jacob Steen.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 4pm on Friday, March 1, 2024, at Ardmore Baptist Church, led by Rev. Ingram P. Hedgpeth, Jr, Rev. Lee Ritchie, and Rev. Tyler Tankersley.  The family will receive friends following the service at the church.  Memorial gifts may be made to fund children’s projects at the Rye Foundation, PO Box 25333, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27114.  Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel is serving the family of Mr. Steen.   

Ardmore Baptist Church will livestream Mr. Steen's celebration of life service.  Please click the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blTL5wXA3a0