Christian Michael Warriner, 19, of Mills River, NC, graduated from West Henderson HS in 2009, where he played football and was a member of the Army JROTC and Future Farmers of America. He married his HS Sweetheart Shelby in March 2010.
“He was a young man, who knew what he wanted to do.” Dean Jones, HS principal. “Most all my conversations with him the last part of his senior year were about how excited he was about joining the Army.”
“He knew who he was. He was confident. He was a really good guy.” Sebastien Castellanos, a junior at West Henderson.
“He was a hard-working kid. Whatever you asked him to do, he would do it.” Paul Whitaker, football coach. "That's what he wanted to do was to go into the Army after he graduated, and that's what he did. He wasn't a starter on our team, but he was a key player at every practice, challenging the other players. He played the game just like he did his job in the Army, with no fear.”
“He loved what he was doing.” Joyce Warriner, grandmother.
His awards and decorations include: Purple Heart; Army Achievement Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; NATO Medal and Parachutist Badge.
Warriner is survived by his wife, Shelby Warriner of Arden, N.C.; his father, Norman Warriner, of Arden N.C. and his mother Brandy Jurczyga, of Burnsville, N.C.