Warner Michael Citty

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our cherished Warner Michael Citty, age 85, of Ashdown, Arkansas on Thursday, October 24, 2024. “Papa,” as he was fondly known as by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, was born on June 1, 1939, in Clovis, New Mexico to Warner Preston & Opal Potterf Citty. Growing up as an “army brat,” Mike lived all over the world including Japan, Germany, and many states, before settling in Galena Park, Texas as a high schooler. After completing high school and Lee Junior College, he graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. Mike covered his college expenses through scholarships, summer jobs, and part-time work as a butcher. He financed his sophomore, junior and senior years through full-time work as a night shift production supervisor for a floor tile manufacturer. The legacy of his work ethic definitely began at an early age. Mike married the love of his life, Gwen Greer, in 1962 as he was balancing school and work. They worked as a team for 62 years raising their two children, Pamela Citty Elliott and Steven Michael Citty. After college graduation, Mike joined Champion Papers in Pasadena, Texas and began his career of “papermaking.” Two years later he joined Nekoosa Edwards Paper Co. in Ashdown, Arkansas as a process engineer. During a decade with Nekoosa, he gained management experience and was eventually transferred to the Potsdam, New York mill. He moved his family north for a brief three-and-a-half-year stint. Mike later returned to Ashdown as a paper mill superintendent. He joined Weyerhaeuser Company in 1978 and moved the family to Plymouth, NC. Long hours and dedication to his family and work, his larger-than-life personality, knowledge of papermaking, common sense, and intelligence took him far in his career with Weyerhaeuser. He moved up the career ladder and joined the Valliant containerboard mill in 1984, moved briefly to Prince Albert, Canada where he served as acting mill manager, mill manager, and vice-president of Weyerhaeuser. During his career and into his retirement, Mike always prioritized his tight-knit family, his strong spiritual life as a devoted Methodist, and service to his community and state. Mike Citty was the face of Weyerhaeuser in Southeast Oklahoma and served on many boards including McCurtain County Memorial Hospital, the Region Board of Weyerhaeuser, Safety Foundation, State Board of Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce, and was appointed by Governor Keating as the Chairman of the Board of ET Dunlap College. Even after retirement from his beloved Weyerhaeuser Paper Company in 2000, he remained active in his home community of Ashdown, AR with the Arkansas Water District, the Richmond United Methodist Church financial board, and his favorite position as caretaker of the St. Paul’s Cemetery in Ozan, AR where he will be laid to rest. During his life, Mike had many hobbies that he devoted much time to becoming a “master” of including bowling, reading, woodworking, gun collecting, and even family ancestry. Papa’s beloved family that remains includes Gwen, his wife and life-long love; daughter Pam Elliott (and fiancée Al Melde), son Steve Citty (and wife, Kayla Dorries Citty) six grandchildren, Jacob Elliott, Tanner Elliott (Haley Elliott), Camden Citty (Melissa Citty), Brynnen Citty StrikeAxe (and Ravyn StrikeAxe), Kynzie Citty, Connor Citty, five great- grandchildren, Colton and Colbie Citty, Ava, Ethan, and Asher Elliott, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. The family would like to say a special thanks to the team at Hospice of Texarkana and Brother Jim Cross for helping during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Hospice of Texarkana, 2407 Galleria Oaks Drive, Texarkana, Texas 75503 or Richmond United Methodist Church, 935 Little River 17, Ashdown, Arkansas 71822. The family will receive friends at a visitation on Tuesday, October 29, from 5-7 p.m. at Madden Funeral Home in Ashdown, Arkansas. A funeral celebrating the life of Mike will take place on Wednesday, October 30 at 2:00 p.m. at Richmond United Methodist Church with burial following at St. Paul’s Cemetery in Ozan, Arkansas.

Warner Michael Citty

June 1, 1939 - October 24, 2024