Walter LeRoy Warren of Ellisville, Missouri peacefully passed away on Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at the age of 93.
Walter was born to parents Walter and Henrietta Warren on December 9, 1924 in New Brighton, PA. With a great passion for photography, Dad built a darkroom in the basement of his childhood home using abandoned wood. The eldest of three, Walter graduated from Beaver Falls High School in 1942 with honors. His yearbook said “He’s shy, but he’ll get by”. After completing an engineering drafting course at Carnegie Institute of Technology, he was accepted in the V-12 Navy College program. It was at his going away party that Dad met the love of his life, Esther Mae Schnubel. Not knowing how to swim, he completed basic training at Naval Station Great Lakes in 1943. After completing Naval Air Technical Training school in Memphis, he entered the officer training program at Tulane University. Mom wanted a Valentine wedding but rules stated that they had to wait until the program was completed. Dad, a stickler for the rules, graduated from Tulane on February 16, 1946 and walked Mom across the street to the St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church where they were married. After a honeymoon in New Orleans, they went to Boston. Dad graduated from MIT with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1948 and promptly reenlisted in his beloved Navy. Dad was assigned to the USS Zellars(DD777) destroyer. Setting sail from Norfolk, Dad’s ship assisted in the evacuation of marines and provided gunfire support. After the Navy, Mom and Dad moved to New Jersey where Dad worked for RCA. Their family grew as they adopted us, one by one. Doug, Diana, Caroline, Brian, and Elizabeth. Even though people thought they were crazy, they drove the family to Las Vegas in 1966 where Dad worked at the engineering firm of EG&G. In 1973, he purchased Carson Camera Shop in downtown Las Vegas. Dad was great with the customers and so knowledgeable about photography. The motto of the shop was “Integrity…above all else.” That was our Dad. Throughout the years, many foster children were brought into our home. A devout Christian, Dad was always active in the church, as Treasurer or Deacon. He would let us count the pennies from the tithing plates. Before dessert, he would always have one of us read a Bible story. A loving and sweet man, Dad loved his family, dogs and apple butter.

In 2008, Mom and Dad moved to Ellisville, MO. Dad enjoyed feeding the squirrels and birds. He made many friends at the Fountains Independent Living residence. All women were envious of the attention that he showered on his beautiful bride, Esther Mae. Always a gallant man, no woman ever had to open a door.

Walter is survived by his loving wife, Esther Mae; his brother Dick; his sister Jean; his children Doug, Kevin(foster brother) Caroline, Brian, and Liz; twelve grandchildren; and four great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his daughter Diana and his parents, Walter and Henrietta.

Dad did not want any services but wished to be cremated and have his ashes placed in the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery located in Boulder City, Nevada. The family is grateful for the condolences, but declines flowers and donations.