Obituary for Kenneth Warby
Kenneth "Ken" Warby, beloved husband of Barbara Warby (nee Paonessa). Loving stepfather of Michael Holmes, James Holmes, and William Holmes and father of Mick Warby, Peter Warby, and David Warby. Cherished grandpa of Ethan Brandao Holmes, Zen Brandao Holmes, Ziva Brandao Holmes, Sophia Holmes, Jackson Holmes, Mason Holmes, Codie Holmes, Hunter Holmes, Kenny Warby, and Amy Warby. Dear brother of Neville (Margaret) Warby, and Ida Alley. Brother-in-law to Peg (Jim) Fustino, Donna (late Mick) Gunyon, David (late Mary) Yarbrough, and Michael (Christine) Paonessa. Also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, and friends around the world. He was preceded in death by his brother Robert Warby, and his parents, Neville Stanislaus Warby and Eveline Dora Warby (nee Swanson).
Ken was born on May 9, 1939 in New Lampton, Australia. After setting the World Water Speed Record in 1978, Ken moved to the United States in 1982 to begin a new chapter in his life. In addition to holding the World Water Speed Record, he was an accomplished racer of jet dragsters, funny cars and trucks. He raced both in the US and Australia. He also found time to get his pilot’s license. Ken was an astute businessman and owned his own company (Mini Mix Inc) for thirty years before selling it in 2019. He was an artist, who made his living by selling paintings in shopping malls to pay bills while building Spirit of Australia. Ken was a gifted engineer who could troubleshoot through almost any obstacle he encountered. He was also known to have a wicked sense of humor that remained to the end. He loved to sing, (Slim Dusty songs of course), and dance with Barbara to their song “Good Hearted Woman” by Waylon Jennings. He and Barbara were also members of the APBA Vintage group and ran their raceboats on the Vintage circuit.
He derived great pleasure from spending time with his family, especially when it came to playing with his grandchildren and watching them grow up. He cherished all their drawings, cards and gifts they made him. He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his wife and family on February 20, 2023 at the age of 83 from Alzheimers Disease. Family will receive friends Saturday, March 25th from 1pm until time of memorial service at 4pm at the Neidhard Minges Funeral Home, 10385 New Haven Rd. Harrison, OH 45030. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hospice of Cincinnati, 4360 Cooper Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45242.
His notable achievements are as follows:
-State, National, and World water speed record holder (317.596 mph/ 511.11 km/h).
-He was the first person in history to design, build, and drive his own boat to the world water speed record.
-First Australian to challenge for the world water speed record
-First person to exceed 300 mph on water in the world
-First person to exceed 500 km/h on water in the world
-Only Australian to ever hold an unlimited world speed record on land, water, or in the air.
-Broke the world record by the largest single margin in history (29 mph)
-First Australian to exceed 200 mph - 300 km/h - 400 km/h 300 mph - 500 km/h
Special Honors Ken has received in his lifetime:
1977: Edward VII Trophy (for holder of world water speed record)
1977: Sportsman of the Year (Sportsman's Assn. of Australia)
1978: Sportsman of the Year (Sportsman's Assn. of N.S.W.)
1978: MBE (Federal Government- Queen's Birthday 1978)
1978: Outstanding Boatsman of the Year (Boating Industry Assn.)
1978: Awarded Medal of Honour (Union of International Motor Boating)
1978: Guest of Honour "This is Your Life"
1978: Caltex Daily Mirror Medallion winner (for sport)
1978-1980: Patron of Royal Motor Yacht Club (Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia)
1979: Ambassador to the City of Melbourne, Victoria
1979: Inaugural Member of the N.S.W. "Hall of Champions"
1979: Appointed by the Federal Government to the "National Australia Day Committee"
1980-1981: Toured America for Australian Government
1988: Australian Sports Hall of Fame
1988: Fastest Jet Funny Car in the world (Drag Racing)
1989: Fastest Jet Truck in the world (Drag Racing)
Ken was born on May 9, 1939 in New Lampton, Australia. After setting the World Water Speed Record in 1978, Ken moved to the United States in 1982 to begin a new chapter in his life. In addition to holding the World Water Speed Record, he was an accomplished racer of jet dragsters, funny cars and trucks. He raced both in the US and Australia. He also found time to get his pilot’s license. Ken was an astute businessman and owned his own company (Mini Mix Inc) for thirty years before selling it in 2019. He was an artist, who made his living by selling paintings in shopping malls to pay bills while building Spirit of Australia. Ken was a gifted engineer who could troubleshoot through almost any obstacle he encountered. He was also known to have a wicked sense of humor that remained to the end. He loved to sing, (Slim Dusty songs of course), and dance with Barbara to their song “Good Hearted Woman” by Waylon Jennings. He and Barbara were also members of the APBA Vintage group and ran their raceboats on the Vintage circuit.
He derived great pleasure from spending time with his family, especially when it came to playing with his grandchildren and watching them grow up. He cherished all their drawings, cards and gifts they made him. He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his wife and family on February 20, 2023 at the age of 83 from Alzheimers Disease. Family will receive friends Saturday, March 25th from 1pm until time of memorial service at 4pm at the Neidhard Minges Funeral Home, 10385 New Haven Rd. Harrison, OH 45030. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hospice of Cincinnati, 4360 Cooper Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45242.
His notable achievements are as follows:
-State, National, and World water speed record holder (317.596 mph/ 511.11 km/h).
-He was the first person in history to design, build, and drive his own boat to the world water speed record.
-First Australian to challenge for the world water speed record
-First person to exceed 300 mph on water in the world
-First person to exceed 500 km/h on water in the world
-Only Australian to ever hold an unlimited world speed record on land, water, or in the air.
-Broke the world record by the largest single margin in history (29 mph)
-First Australian to exceed 200 mph - 300 km/h - 400 km/h 300 mph - 500 km/h
Special Honors Ken has received in his lifetime:
1977: Edward VII Trophy (for holder of world water speed record)
1977: Sportsman of the Year (Sportsman's Assn. of Australia)
1978: Sportsman of the Year (Sportsman's Assn. of N.S.W.)
1978: MBE (Federal Government- Queen's Birthday 1978)
1978: Outstanding Boatsman of the Year (Boating Industry Assn.)
1978: Awarded Medal of Honour (Union of International Motor Boating)
1978: Guest of Honour "This is Your Life"
1978: Caltex Daily Mirror Medallion winner (for sport)
1978-1980: Patron of Royal Motor Yacht Club (Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia)
1979: Ambassador to the City of Melbourne, Victoria
1979: Inaugural Member of the N.S.W. "Hall of Champions"
1979: Appointed by the Federal Government to the "National Australia Day Committee"
1980-1981: Toured America for Australian Government
1988: Australian Sports Hall of Fame
1988: Fastest Jet Funny Car in the world (Drag Racing)
1989: Fastest Jet Truck in the world (Drag Racing)