Warren was born the oldest of twin boys to a 16 year old unwed mother in 1948. His mother was bitter, at times cruel, but he had many happy stories from his childhood. He left home at 11 and left school in his senior year because a history teacher called him dumb. He had no interest in history. He joined the Army and was in the Signal Carps in Vietnam. He went to touch-tone school in Danang. He installed phones. When i asked him how was his experience he said "I had fun". He was also exposed as were all boots on the ground to Agent Orange which led to many complications later in life. He had many jobs over the years, Truck Driver, Custodian("Janitors empty trash") ,Medical Assistance Van Driver and his proudest post, Captain of Security. He loved being a security guard, and rose to be Captain of all the guards at Whelan Trucking. He had several complicated and difficult relationships,2 sons and a daughter. He became a heavy drinker in the Army and carried on with that for decades before giving it up all together. The first problem caused by his exposure was in his legs, after many attempts to relieve clotting his veins and arteries started to dissolve. He lost one leg above the knee and 18 months later the other. The Army would not acknowledge his health problems were service related so he had a very modest pension. When i met him in 2015 he had been legless for 4 years. You expect someone in that condition to be bitter or depressed but Warren was the most upbeat and positive person i have ever met. He had adjusted to his difficulties, was totally self sufficient, had a hand control equipped van and went where he wanted when he wanted. I needed an occasional ride so I asked him to be my driver.
Thanksgiving of 2017 Warren nearly died, spent the month of December in KU Med’s Cancer ward. He had Leukemia and a spot on his lung, was told he had at most 1 year to live. After months of Chemo he stopped treatment as it was buying him weeks or months at best. He died at home on his own terms. Marijuana helped keep his spirits up and stimulated his appetite. “I love being high” he would say then we would order Pizza.
After he passed, his twin brother told me he had brain cancer as well. If you asked about his legs he would say ”Uncle Sam took ‘em”
He was my best friend ever..