Carl Russell Warren
13 August 1919 - 26 March 2013

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Carl R. Warren

Carl R. Warren, 93, Springfield.

Arrangements: Herman Lohmeyer Funeral Home.

Published in the News-Leader on March 28, 2013

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A great radio repairman, and an even better friend

Friends remember that Carl Warren would sometimes leave a message on their answering machines that illustrated his sense of humor: "This is Carl Warren, the world's greatest radio repairman. Give me a call."

His customers believed he was the greatest — and maybe Carl did too.

Carl died on March 26 [2013] of age-related illnesses at the age of 93.

He was born in Springfield Aug. 13, 1919, to Isto and Eva Goodlae Warren.

His father was a veteran of the Spanish-American War; he never remembered his mother because she died when he was only 2 years old.

As an early electronics installer and repairman, he used a motto to advertise: "The Name to Know in Radio Since 1938." Somehow for 40 years he operated the business out of two rooms in his home, a former service station at the corner of Campbell and Grand across from Maple Park Cemetery. During his lifetime Carl was a man of many interests and talents, including selling cars, radios and TVs, and he flew his own plane.

But he was best known for his skill in repairing older radios and TVs.

He was a collector, and he even had a plane on display in front of his shop until the city ordered its removal. While it was there, pranksters at a fraternity stole the propeller. Carl said he would not prosecute if they returned it. The promise worked. Sometime later Carl found the propeller in his driveway.

During the later years of inactivity he had plenty of company to occupy his time in the shop. You knew you were welcome to visit when he shouted, "Come in here and sit down!"

And friends who dropped by for a chat would make Carl's day if they brought his favorite Wendy's hamburger.

He was married to Priscilla Lee Wallen for 61 years, and his greatest sorrow came when the petite little lady died in 2004. [03 October]

In later years there were moments when the often gruff Carl would grow quiet and say almost in a whisper, "I really miss her."

Carl and Priscilla had no children, but he is survived by two nieces, Pat Letterman, Springfield, and Robin Smith, Dadeville; three cousins, Steve Daly, Glenda Espy, and Larry Warren, Springfield; and a sister-in-law, Norma Blanton, Columbia.

He didn't want publicity and he wasn't rich, but his niece Pat Letterman said he was very generous in helping others less fortunate. "He had a heart of gold," she added. Larry Warren echoed that comment by telling of Carl repairing TVs and giving them to poor people he had met.

That was the late Carl Russell Warren.

The former service station at Grand and Campbell is empty and quiet these days and will probably be razed in the near future. That's because the old legend Carl Warren is gone.

But customers, family, and friends will not soon forget "the world's greatest radio repairman."

Wayne Warner
The Springfield News-Leader; Has photo.
May 5, 2013 10:36 PM

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Note:

Carl had two signs on his old gas-station-business bldg...

CARL R. WARREN -- THE ONE TO SEE FOR TV

CARL R. WARREN -- THE OLD PRO OF RADIO

He was a fixture in The Queen City FOREVER it seems...

Carl died at the Springfield Rehab & Health Care facility, managed by Mrs. Steve (Stephanie) Grant.

•✿◕✿• REST IN PEACE •✿◕✿•

Audrey

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