George Walton Warren
The News Examiner, Thursday, 25 May 1961, page 1
George W Warren, 71, widely known political and civic leader, and
retired Union Pacific Railroad conductor, died suddenly of a heart attack at 2
pm May 18, in the Bear Lake Memorial Hospital, where he underwent major surgery
on May 13.
The son of Marion W Warren and Delia Anne Webb, he was born 16 Sep 1889 at Cooksville, Tennessee. He married Ruth A Golden, 1 August 1947 at Twin Falls. She preceded him in death on 15 January 1959. He married Marguerite Williams, 14 October 1959 at Las Vegas, Nevada.
Mr. Warren began his railroad career on entering service with the Tennessee Central Railroad in 1909. In 1917 he came West as an employee of the Union Pacific Railroad, working out of Minidoka. In 1920 he transferred to Montpelier where he had since resided. He retired as the senior railroad conductor of the Northwest Division of the Union Pacific on 16 Sep 1959, closing 50 years of continuous railroad service. For 23 years beginning in 1936, he was state legislative representative of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen and for many years on the general grievance committee.
He was a dedicated member and elder of the Community Presbyterian Church. Mr. Warren was also an active member of King Solomon Lodge No 27 AF & AM and at the time of his death was Worshipful Master a position he previously held.
Civic, church and school and political enterprises all profited from his continuous dynamic leadership. He served two terms as State Senator from Bear Lake County in the Idaho Legislature, occupying prominent assignments on important committees of finance, taxation, education and labor. He represented his Democratic political party at several state and national conventions.
By gubernatorial appointment, he was a member of the 1960 pre-legislative budge committee, devoting much time last summer working on the budget. Mr. Warren was instrumental in combing the Paris and Montpelier chapters of the American Red Cross and became the first chairman of the newly created Bear Lake chapter in 1960, a position he held at the time of death. Under his leadership, he succeeded in securing participation of Bear Lake Memorial Hospital in the Red Cross Blood Program as a part of the Boise Regional Blood Center.
As co chairman, along with Harry F Stewart and K V Hansen, he directed the 1960 fund drive for the Too-Wi-Da district, Tendoy Council of Boy Scouts. Montpelier, Bear Lake County and the State of Idaho will continue to profit from his long dedicated public service marked by fairness and enthusiastic leadership.
Besides his widow, he is survived by one brother and three sisters W J Warren of Idaho Falls, W H Emmerson of Bakersfield California, Mrs. R Breithaupt of Burbank, California and Mrs. Clyde L Drake of North Hollywood, California.
Services were held at 2 pm Monday in the Community Presbyterian Church with the Reverend Lincoln Anderson officiating. Vocal selections, "The Lords Prayer" was by Max Haddock, and "Abide With Me", a duet by Mrs. Reed Lowe and Mr. Haddock. Mrs. Lester Armatage was accompanist and played the prelude and postlude.
Masonic graveside services in Montpelier cemetery were conducted by King Solomon Lodge No 27 AF & AM with L K Anderson acting as Worshipful Master. Pall bearers were William J Ansell, Richard L Collipriest, B V Littlefield, Melvin Lauridsen, H G Nuckols and Leonard E Mosteller. Matthews Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.