He passed away Tuesday, May 29, 2018, at Crowell Home in Blair at the age 84.
Paul grew up in rural Burt County near Decatur, Neb., as one of six children born to George and Gertrude (Thomas) Warren. Paul attended Elm Creek Country School in rural Burt County and graduated from Decatur High School in 1950.
Paul married Beverly Jean Wedgewood of Tekamah at a service in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on July 12, 1954. Their marriage blessed them with three children; Rhonda (Steve) Baker of Spartanburg, S.C.; Jeff (Julene) Warren of Blair; and Joe (fiancée Roxane Bukowski) Warren of San Diego, Calif.
Paul spent the majority of his work life employed in various capacities at Western Electric/AT&T in Omaha. Paul retired from what had become Lucent Technologies in 1992 after 33 years, at age 59. For several years after retirement Paul worked for the Blair Golf Course mowing fairways and helping with course maintenance and then settled into what became a long “second career” as a delivery driver/dispatcher for Woodhouse Ford/Chrysler/Plymouth. He reluctantly gave up his driving duties in 2011 at the age of 78. He truly loved driving for Woodhouse and hanging out with the other “Geezers.”
Paul was an avid competitor and sportsman. He loved the spirit of a good game, most any game. Whether baseball or football in his youth or slow pitch softball, bowling, horseshoes or just about anything that could be turned into a competition as an adult, he had the uncanny ability to know that games were played as an enjoyment of life.
Paul loved all things outdoors. From gardening and yard work to hunting and fishing he undertook all projects with the same endless energy.
Paul and brother Raymond were perennial horseshoe pitching champions at the 4th of July celebration in Tekamah. Each year they would show up and complain about how little practice time they had leading up to the event, just before they were again crowned champions. Summers typically included an annual fishing trip to Minnesota,
Paul loved his desserts and could always find room for a cookie or a piece of cake but he especially loved ice cream. Any flavor, topping, cone, bowl or milk shake. When offered ice cream bars with his meals at Crowell he was most often known to say; “Probably should.”
Paul was preceded in death by parents, George and Gertrude (Thomas) Warren; father- and mother-in-law Roy and Mamie (Johnson) Wedgewood; brothers Tom and Lloyd Warren; sisters Joan Dorn and Mary Lou Wedgewood; brothers-in-law Tony Lewis, John Dorn, Lyle Wedgewood, Larry Hennig, Jerry Miles, Merwin Georgeson and Harold (Wedge) Wedgewood. Also preceding Paul were sisters-in-law Ardie Hennig, Evelyn Miles and Doris Georgeson.
Paul is survived by his wife and children; grandchildren Emily Kelley and Jackie (Jake) Foster, both of Spartanburg, S.C.; Clay Warren of Blair and Kane (fiancée Breanne Magill) Warren of Tekamah; great-grandchildren Jacob and Kayelee Foster; brother Raymond (Ann) Warren; sisters-in-law Joyce Lewis and Joan Wedgewood; 38 nieces and nephews.
Campbell-Aman Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.