Brock Wellington Warwick

Brock Wellington Warwick peacefully breathed his last breath this side of Heaven at 7:30am ET on July 15, 2024. Continually surrounded by his loved ones, both family and friends, he repeatedly expressed his love for them and his deep appreciation for their love and support. 

 Born on November 10, 1977 in Anderson, SC to Donna Jean Gibson Abercrombie and Grant William Warwick, his family moved soon thereafter to the Jersey Shore where he spent most of his formative years. With adorably blond curly hair and an infectious smile, he charmed all he met while confounding them with his rascally ways. Deep within him from an early age was a sense of wonder, a curiosity to figure out how things work, and an unparalleled mechanical aptitude. Reminiscent to any child of the 80s, he rode his bicycle throughout and beyond the neighborhood. But it couldn’t be a stock bicycle. It had to be modified and improved which became a defining signature of his work. 

From his mother, Brock inherited an incredible grit and determination as well as a profound compassion for all creatures, great and small. Generations of turtles owe their existence to Brock’s assisting their forebears in crossing busy roads. And countless horses owe their proper burial to Brock’s skill in operating an excavator and his heart in providing them with dignity. From his father, Brock inherited a scientist’s curiosity, sense of independence, an appreciation for art, and love for trees. His eventual admiration for the works of Banksy, Edvard Munch, and Jean-Michel Basquiat can be traced back to his father. He deeply loved his parents and expressed profound gratitude for his upbringing. 

 In what is often unusual for children of a young age, he displayed no apprehension in befriending a neighbor’s son with severe Cerebral Palsy. Throughout Brock’s life, his compassion for those with disabilities or those in need superseded any discomfort around them or any fears of the unknown/unfamiliar. He wanted to ensure that they felt included. For instance, later as a teenager he heard that a disabled student might not be able to attend a YoungLife movie night, so he built a ramp at an optimum angle so that the student’s motorized scooter could ascend the stairs and he could be included with everyone else for the night of fun.

 With his father being a Canadian citizen, Brock made frequent family trips to visit a huge side of his family where his grandparents had raised 13 children and where it eventually consisted of 40 first cousins and 60 second cousins. In many ways, the wide ranging family farms and unspoiled wilderness under a clearly visible Milky Way suited his personality more so than suburban life. Visits to Canada significantly contributed to his sense of adventure and deeply rooted connections with his cousins there. 

 Starting in middle school, he began displaying his entrepreneurial spirit by paying for a small space in a school refrigerator in order to sell cold drinks to fellow students waiting for the school bus. And he began what would become a lifelong interest in building things under the mentorship of a young carpenter/surfer who led surfing trips among the youth at Ocean City Baptist Church. 

 In 1992, at the age of 14, Brock’s family moved back to South Carolina just outside of the town of Clemson. He quickly and eagerly adapted to the more rural lifestyle marked by 4-wheelers, off-road motorbikes, camping, hiking, and playing in the massive nearby lakes. He attended RC Edwards Middle School in one of the last years where 9th graders attended there and continued on to nearby D.W. Daniel High School where he graduated. 

 Traditional book studies were never exactly Brock’s forte. Studying car maintenance manuals or wiring diagrams captured his attention. With parents who keenly appreciated his divergent thinking and hands-on learning style, he was afforded opportunities to experiment and learn on everything from broken toasters to malfunctioning riding lawn mowers. Soon he had “graduated” to overhauling and modifying ATVs, followed by 4WD trucks, and then his fast car of choice, Ford Mustangs. 

 After finishing high school, Brock attended Tri-County Technical College where he earned his Associates Degree in Welding & Metal Fabrication. Those skills helped him eventually launch his own business, Element Welding and Metal Fabrication. 

 In his mid-twenties, Brock traveled overseas for the first time to visit his older brother, Brent, who lived in Kobe, Japan with his wife, Suzy. Brock loved exploring parts of Japan and notably climbed Mt. Fuji to view the sunrise. From that point forward he sought opportunities to travel abroad, experience different cultures, appreciate the beauty of God’s Creation, and serve others. In 2005, he traveled to Mongolia (via Japan and China) to serve as a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity there. In subsequent years, he traveled back to Mongolia and then repeatedly to Guatemala building houses for those in need. He also served on a work crew benefitting Doulos Discovery School in the Dominican Republic. 

 While Brock was never shy of saying “I love you,” he primarily expressed his love through acts of service. Oftentimes, he would quietly serve others by fixing their car, helping them move, or fixing a plumbing problem. The list of examples is nearly endless as is the list of beneficiaries. Brock had a servant’s heart and anyone who had the pleasure of knowing him would confirm this as one of the defining aspects of his character.

 In 2015, Brock married his best friend and the love of his life, Trisha Witthoeft, in a small and simple ceremony in a creekside meadow near their eventual home. Brock and Trish were perfectly suited for one another. Both were brimming with a sense of adventure (especially for wild places). They had a complimentary sense of humor. And they had an extraordinary appreciation for each other’s personalities. They loved each other deeply and served one another selflessly. 

 Many marriages wouldn’t survive both members being actively involved in building the house that would become their home. But with Trish as the financial project manager, Brock served as the primary builder of their house under a mentor’s guidance. Not only did their marriage survive the project, but the finished result is a testament to the strength of their marriage and their working partnership. Their home and Brock’s adjacent shop serve as beautifully tangible examples of Brock’s craftsmanship and expression of love and provision for his family. 

 In 2017, they added a new member to their family, Maverick Wellington Warwick. While Trish clearly contributed to Maverick’s outward appearance, very early on Maverick displayed much of Brock’s charm and rascality. It also didn’t take long for Maverick to exhibit his dad’s early mechanical aptitude and prowess on a 4-wheeler and excavator soon thereafter. Maverick’s arrival ushered in a new dimension of Brock’s character. In addition to being a devoted husband, Brock’s new role of father revealed new depths of his sacrificial love, stewardship of what had been entrusted to him, and desire to teach, train, and equip his son for this life. He cherished his family beyond measure and devoted himself to their protection, provision, care, and flourishing. 

 Of particular note is Brock’s intentionality in cultivating a sense of wonder and a sense of adventure for Maverick to one day make his own. Brock was extraordinarily fascinated by the expansive and complex nature of the universe (which for him served as overwhelming proof of God’s infinity and creativity). And he was driven by a desire to explore the wild places of what he could access on this small planet in that big universe. He found joy and contentment among the mountains, the fjords, the glaciers, the stands of ancient trees, the calm of still lakes, and the music of water cascading over rocks. But most of all, the night sky. Without reference, he could identify constellations and planets. And he sought to instill that wonder-filled sense of awe in Maverick and anyone else in his presence. And that spirit of exploration extended to family trips to Norway, Cuba, Banff National Park, Aruba, and Vancouver, BC just to name a few. Vancouver was his family’s last family adventure and the peace they saw him embrace in the ancient forests was unforgettable. 

While mostly private in its expression, Brock’s Christian faith carried him through tremendously difficult challenges to his physical health which started in late 2018. Such was his will to be present for his loved ones, that he endured suffering through treatments that many wouldn’t have the stamina to withstand. All the while he trusted that God loved him and that miraculous healing was possible. In his final day, Brock was able to vaguely reference the Biblical account of Job’s readiness to be released from his bodily suffering and experience the hope of healing and renewal in God’s presence. 

 Brock’s life cannot adequately be summed up in even these words. He’s left an indelible mark on all who knew him. And his legacy will continue to be felt as those that love him: serve anyone, particularly those in need; display stewardship of God’s Creation in caring for the natural world, especially animals and trees; go on adventures to wild places and experience different cultures; or gaze with awe-filled wonder at the vast and beautiful night sky. 

 He is survived by: his wife, Trish Witthoeft Warwick, and young son, Maverick Wellington Warwick, as well as his parents, Donna Jean Gibson Abercrombie and Grant William Warwick; brother Brent William Warwick (wife, Suzy and children Noah, Harper and Silas); and grandmother Carol Gibson; and aunts, uncles, and cousins too numerous to list. 

 A celebration of Brock’s life (held on Brock and Trish’s property) will be planned shortly. An announcement with details will be made in the coming weeks. Unsurprisingly, Brock preferred informal settings and celebratory events with family and close friends. There’s a very strong probability that fireworks will be involved. 

 Brock’s cremated remains will be distributed in three specific and significant ways. A portion will be scattered at Ramsey Creek Nature Preserve where Trish’s cremated remains will one day be scattered as well. Another portion will be transported by his father Grant Warwick to Canada to be scattered. And lastly, the remaining portion will be scheduled for an upcoming launch to the Moon given Brock’s lifelong fascination with space and celestial bodies. 

 In lieu of flowers, the family would like for anyone that is interested to contribute a small token amount to “Brock’s Moon Landing.” The cost is already fully covered. However, Brock would’ve loved for his family and friends to participate with him. And one day Maverick will hear about those who contributed and each time he looks at the Moon he’ll be reminded that his dad was loved by so many others. Details to be released via social media at a later date.

 Visit RobinsonFuneralHomes.com or Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home & Cremations, Central-Clemson Commons.