Walter Emory Warren

WARREN

LAWYER, NAVAL RESERVIST, FEDERAL OFFICIAL, REPUBLICAN ACTIVIST

Walter Emory Warren, age 69, a Washington, DC and Florida lawyer since the 1960's, who served in the United States Naval Reserve, worked for the federal government and was active in the Republican Party, died on Saturday, September 10, 2005 in Williamsburg, VA, where he was a resident for the past four years.

Mr. Warren, who had been General Counsel of the United States Small Business Administration and Deputy General Counsel of the United States Agency for International Development was retired at the time of his death. He first came to Washington, DC from Florida in 1969 to join the United States Department of Justice. Other federal agencies in which he later served included the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Renegotiation Board and the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. He also engaged in private law practice in Washington. Before coming to the District of Columbia, he practiced law in Leesburg, FL from 1966 to 1969, and served for a time during that period as Lake County Prosecutor.

In 1959, Mr. Warren was commissioned Ensign in the United States Naval Reserve after successfully completely Naval Officer Candidate School. He served an initial three years on active duty in Hawaii in the Naval Security Group and aboard the USS Hassayampa (AO 145). He continued to be active in the Naval Reserve until retirement as Captain (06) in 1995. In 1972, he joined the Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps. He served in three Naval Reserve commanding officer's billets, including the Reserve legal unit supporting Commander-in-Chief, Atlantic and Commander-in-Chief Atlantic Fleet at Norfolk. During extended periods of special active duty in 1982 and 1983, he served in the office of the Chief of Naval Operations and the office of the Judge Advocate General. He was also called up to serve in the Gulf War in operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990 and 1991. During this time, he was posted to joint service in the United States Central Command in Tampa, FL, where he was head of its International Law Division for the duration of the conflict. During his Navy career, he was awarded decorations including the Navy Meritorious Service Medal and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal.

Mr. Warren began his Republican political activity in 1963 in Florida, where he was active in the Barry Goldwater Campaign for President. Later, he successfully managed the election campaign of Florida State Senator Dennis J.P. O'Grady, and ran unsuccessfully for county judge in Lake County, FL. In Washington, beginning in 1969, he was active in the DC Young Republicans. He later joined the Alexandria, VA Young Republicans, was Chairman in 1972, and was elected Virginia Young Republican National Committeeman in 1973. He was active in various campaigns of Virginia State and National Republican candidates, including serving as Springfield District Chairman in the initial election of United States Senator John Warner in 1978. He also served in the Fairfax County Republican Committee. He was counsel to the Committee for Permanent Organization for the Republican National Convention in 1980.

Mr. Warren, a native of Florida, was a 1958 liberal arts graduate of the University of Florida and a graduate of the School of Law at Mercer University. He was managing editor of the Mercer Law Review and Vice President of the John Marshall Student Bar Association.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Jane of Williamsburg, VA; sons, Walter Charles Warren of Seattle, WA, Lee Edward Tasaki of Kailua, HI; stepson, Jonathan Poirier of Los Angeles, CA; sisters, Mary Elizabeth Godbold of Sarasota, Fl, Peggy Warren Griffith of Orlando, FL and a brother, William Edmund Warren of Ocala, FL.

Funeral services will be held at 12 noon on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 at NELSEN FUNERAL HOME, 3785 Strawberry Plains Rd., Williamsburg, VA with Rev. Bill Butterfield officiating.

Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery on Friday, December 9, 2005 at 11 a.m.