Warren L. Naegele

Warren Leroy Naegele of San Antonio, Texas passed away on September 23, 2024, at the age of 91. He was born in 1933 in Sylvan Grove, Kansas. When Warren was 10, he and his family moved to Liberal, Kansas where Warren was raised with his 7 brothers and 4 sisters.

Warren attended and graduated from St Johns Academy and St Johns College, both of Winfield, Kansas. In high school he took part in sports, sang in the choir, and traveled with the school quartet. Most importantly Warren met Nylene Nolting at St Johns at age 15, they fell in love and following graduation from college they were joined in matrimony and remained married for the rest of their lives (68 years). After Winfield Warren was a vicar for a brief time at a Milwaukee Wisconsin church. From this experience knowing he had a calling he completed seminary training at Concordia Seminary in St Louis. After seminary he began his ministry at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Dayton, Iowa where he was pastor for 3 years. In 1961 he was called to Olathe, Kansas where he was the founding minister of Redeemer Lutheran Church. He was lead pastor there for 10 years. Warren continued his education all the while, receiving his Master of Divinity and later his Doctor of Ministry.

After his time at Redeemer Lutheran, Warren was Chaplin for 10 years at The Jackson County Jail in Kansas City, Missouri. There he helped troubled people experience love that many had never previously experienced. A fatherly love and the Love of Christ. Next, Warren became Chaplain at the Truman Medical Center, also of Kansas City Missouri, for another 10-year period. He compassionately ministered to the sick and dying as well as their grieving families. Next the Missouri Synod offered Warren a position starting a Chaplains Advocacy Program in Oceanside, Ca. He was engaged in many other church leadership activities, such as Chaplin for the Synod's Pacific Southwest District, Interim Ministry in several churches, Carlsbad Lutheran Home Chaplin, and teaching classes, services, and counseling at the Vista County Jail. After 30 years in California Warren retired and he and Nylene moved to San Antonio, Texas to be near their son Stan. During his career Warren also presided over numerous funerals, weddings, and baptisms, including those of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Throughout his life Warren was an avid athlete, competitive in many sports. Warren won numerous tennis championships both in singles and doubles, including many mixed doubles trophies with Nylene. He loved to play card games, shoot pool, walk, bike ride, barefoot waterski (when younger!), and he really loved to fish! Always gregarious, he loved spending time with his family and friends. Even while socializing Warren was a great pastor and teacher by example. He effortlessly showed how to live a life full of love, how Christ's teachings look embodied in a man, and how healing can radiate from a pure heart. Warren easily shared Christ's message because he lived His message.

Warren is preceded in death by his parents, Amanda (Witte) and Edwin Naegele, his wife Nylene Naegele, brothers Stanley, Harold, Rodger, Nolan, Harvey, and Paul Naegele. And his sister Audrey Malcolm.

Warren is survived by his brother Wallace Naegele and sisters Jane Nix, Susie Engleman, and April Davis, his son Stan M. (Sherri) Naegele of San Antonio, Tx, daughter Cindy K.(Art) Blankenship of Overland Park, Ks., daughter Dawn L. (Steve) Wallingford of Belgrade, MT., 7 grandkids, 10 great grand kids, and 1 great-great Granddaughter.

We have so many wonderful memories of Dad. He was at every football, baseball, basketball game, and every dance, cheerleading, drill team, play, music concert, and jazz band performance. This devotion to us continued throughout our adult lives. He always gave us his complete support and unconditional love. We dearly loved and cherished him, and we are so grateful for having had him in our earthly lives. And we so look forward to seeing him again in Paradise.

The family would like to especially thank Alma Valdez (his angel) for the care and compassion she showed our father these past 2 years of his life.

Warren had a celebration of life gathering before his passing in lieu of a funeral. If you feel so moved, please donate to a charitable organization of your choice in his honor.