George Louis Warren, Jr
February 17, 1942 — January 5, 2021
George Louis Warren, Jr., age 78, died peacefully in Jacksonville, FL on Tuesday, January 5,
2021 after complications from heart failure.
George was known for his big personality, corny humor, giant bear hugs, and long, entertaining
stories, which he loved to repeat. He was a ladies' man, fast foodie, world traveler, scuba diver,
supreme soccer fan and referee, and a dad joke aficionado. George could be bold, brash, and
at times opinionated. But those he loved, he loved fiercely.
George was born in Mt. Carmel, IL on February 17, 1942. He was raised in East St. Louis, and
later Belleville, IL by his parents, both teachers, Louise ( Merrill) and George L. Warren, Sr.
As a teenager, he took great pride in his accomplishments on the basketball court, as the
starting center of Belleville High School's basketball team. He was also a member of the
distinguished Black Knights Drum and Bugle Corps, with whom he toured the country, from NYC
to Miami and Chicago to Boston, for competitions.
After graduation, George enlisted in the United States Navy. He was trained to be an electrician
on the USS Ticonderoga, but he also lucked into a gig as the projectionist on the ship. Everyone
loves and respects the movie buff on board, especially when he got to select which films the
crew would get to see. This role afforded him special privileges in port to snag the hottest flicks.
During his time in the Navy, George traveled to Guam, Japan, the Philippines, Bangkok, Hawaii,
Hong Kong, Melbourne, Sydney, and off the coast of Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He
was very proud of his service to his country.
In the 1960s, following his time in the Navy, George joined the Chicago Police Department as a
motorcycle officer in the 17th Precinct. He was active on the force during a tumultuous time in
Chicago's and America's history. He always spoke fondly of his time with CPD (at least, in the
stories that were suitable for children). He found a deep love for the city that stayed with him
until the end, as evidenced by his Blackhawks jerseys and his prized replica Cubs World Series
ring. (His daughters, loyal to Cardinal Nation, long rejected this ring and have now bequeathed it
to George's Cubs-loving son-in-law, Jay.)
After his time in Chicago, George moved back home to the metro St. Louis area and started a
family. He was blessed with two equally headstrong daughters who refused to let him win an
argument and were gifted with his piercing blue eyes. In St. Louis and Belleville, George forged
a great life and built many close friendships.
George took fashion cues from no one. In his youth, that meant sporting leisure suits with
oversized collars and white patent leather loafers. In his later years, his signature look consisted
of a pair of unfaded jeans from the high-fashion establishment known as Sears & Roebuck
(what exactly was that shade of blue called?), New Balance "Dad" shoes, and likely a T-shirt
supporting his youngest daughter's soccer team. (His baritone register ensured that he was
always the loudest parent at any of her matches).
Stubborn until the end, George of course waited until he was surrounded by his loved ones to
concede to illness and depart this world to be welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven.
To paraphrase one of George's idols, he lived a life that's full. He traveled each and every
highway, and often explored many of its exits and on ramps. And more, much more than this,
he did it his way. Sinatra would be proud.
He is survived by his daughters Mary Kathleen (Jeff) Sutton and Dr. Caroline Warren (Jay
Schaldecker), and by his older brother, Dr. Harold Harding. He also leaves behind two
grandchildren Spencer (15) and Gwen Sutton (6). George took great pride in both of his
grandchildren, as evidenced by his bragging to anyone who would give him a split second. The
stories never stopped. He also doted on his "grandpuppies" Oliver (9) and Lisa Left-Eye (1).
George leaves behind many longtime friends from around the globe. He will be remembered as
a loving father and grandfather, a loyal friend, a great hugger, a former police officer, a master
scuba diver, an avid motorcyclist, a man of Catholic faith, a proud patriot and a US Navy
veteran. And his family will smile at the thought of the man who invented dad jokes, the dad
bod, and yes, dad fashion.
A "Celebration of Life" and burial services will be delayed until the spring/summer, when
(hopefully) it is safer to travel and no one has to stand in the Illinois snow. Services will be at
Lake View Memorial Gardens, in the Masonic Garden.
Lake View Funeral Home, 5000 N Illinois St, Fairview Heights, IL 62208
(618) 233-7200
www.dignitymemorial.com
Full details to follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations or
tributes to the American Heart Association at www.heart.org
"Letting Go"
The angels gathered near your side
So very close to you
For they knew the pain and suffering
That you were going through
I thought about so many things
As I held tightly to your hand
Oh, how I wished that you were strong
And happy once again
But your eyes were looking homeward
To the place beyond the sky
Where Jesus held His outstretched arms
It was time to say goodbye
I struggled with my selfish thoughts
For I wanted you to stay
So we could walk and talk again
Like we did... just yesterday
But Jesus knew the answer
And I knew you loved Him so
So I gave you life's greatest gift
The gift of letting go
-Judith Bullock Morse
Local arrangements entrusted to Naugle Schnauss Funeral Home, 808 Margaret Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32204, 904-683-9288
2021 after complications from heart failure.
George was known for his big personality, corny humor, giant bear hugs, and long, entertaining
stories, which he loved to repeat. He was a ladies' man, fast foodie, world traveler, scuba diver,
supreme soccer fan and referee, and a dad joke aficionado. George could be bold, brash, and
at times opinionated. But those he loved, he loved fiercely.
George was born in Mt. Carmel, IL on February 17, 1942. He was raised in East St. Louis, and
later Belleville, IL by his parents, both teachers, Louise ( Merrill) and George L. Warren, Sr.
As a teenager, he took great pride in his accomplishments on the basketball court, as the
starting center of Belleville High School's basketball team. He was also a member of the
distinguished Black Knights Drum and Bugle Corps, with whom he toured the country, from NYC
to Miami and Chicago to Boston, for competitions.
After graduation, George enlisted in the United States Navy. He was trained to be an electrician
on the USS Ticonderoga, but he also lucked into a gig as the projectionist on the ship. Everyone
loves and respects the movie buff on board, especially when he got to select which films the
crew would get to see. This role afforded him special privileges in port to snag the hottest flicks.
During his time in the Navy, George traveled to Guam, Japan, the Philippines, Bangkok, Hawaii,
Hong Kong, Melbourne, Sydney, and off the coast of Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He
was very proud of his service to his country.
In the 1960s, following his time in the Navy, George joined the Chicago Police Department as a
motorcycle officer in the 17th Precinct. He was active on the force during a tumultuous time in
Chicago's and America's history. He always spoke fondly of his time with CPD (at least, in the
stories that were suitable for children). He found a deep love for the city that stayed with him
until the end, as evidenced by his Blackhawks jerseys and his prized replica Cubs World Series
ring. (His daughters, loyal to Cardinal Nation, long rejected this ring and have now bequeathed it
to George's Cubs-loving son-in-law, Jay.)
After his time in Chicago, George moved back home to the metro St. Louis area and started a
family. He was blessed with two equally headstrong daughters who refused to let him win an
argument and were gifted with his piercing blue eyes. In St. Louis and Belleville, George forged
a great life and built many close friendships.
George took fashion cues from no one. In his youth, that meant sporting leisure suits with
oversized collars and white patent leather loafers. In his later years, his signature look consisted
of a pair of unfaded jeans from the high-fashion establishment known as Sears & Roebuck
(what exactly was that shade of blue called?), New Balance "Dad" shoes, and likely a T-shirt
supporting his youngest daughter's soccer team. (His baritone register ensured that he was
always the loudest parent at any of her matches).
Stubborn until the end, George of course waited until he was surrounded by his loved ones to
concede to illness and depart this world to be welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven.
To paraphrase one of George's idols, he lived a life that's full. He traveled each and every
highway, and often explored many of its exits and on ramps. And more, much more than this,
he did it his way. Sinatra would be proud.
He is survived by his daughters Mary Kathleen (Jeff) Sutton and Dr. Caroline Warren (Jay
Schaldecker), and by his older brother, Dr. Harold Harding. He also leaves behind two
grandchildren Spencer (15) and Gwen Sutton (6). George took great pride in both of his
grandchildren, as evidenced by his bragging to anyone who would give him a split second. The
stories never stopped. He also doted on his "grandpuppies" Oliver (9) and Lisa Left-Eye (1).
George leaves behind many longtime friends from around the globe. He will be remembered as
a loving father and grandfather, a loyal friend, a great hugger, a former police officer, a master
scuba diver, an avid motorcyclist, a man of Catholic faith, a proud patriot and a US Navy
veteran. And his family will smile at the thought of the man who invented dad jokes, the dad
bod, and yes, dad fashion.
A "Celebration of Life" and burial services will be delayed until the spring/summer, when
(hopefully) it is safer to travel and no one has to stand in the Illinois snow. Services will be at
Lake View Memorial Gardens, in the Masonic Garden.
Lake View Funeral Home, 5000 N Illinois St, Fairview Heights, IL 62208
(618) 233-7200
www.dignitymemorial.com
Full details to follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations or
tributes to the American Heart Association at www.heart.org
"Letting Go"
The angels gathered near your side
So very close to you
For they knew the pain and suffering
That you were going through
I thought about so many things
As I held tightly to your hand
Oh, how I wished that you were strong
And happy once again
But your eyes were looking homeward
To the place beyond the sky
Where Jesus held His outstretched arms
It was time to say goodbye
I struggled with my selfish thoughts
For I wanted you to stay
So we could walk and talk again
Like we did... just yesterday
But Jesus knew the answer
And I knew you loved Him so
So I gave you life's greatest gift
The gift of letting go
-Judith Bullock Morse
Local arrangements entrusted to Naugle Schnauss Funeral Home, 808 Margaret Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32204, 904-683-9288
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