Leslie "Les" Paul Warren

Leslie “Les” Paul Warren, age 67, of Gulfport, MS, was called home on Tuesday, August 10, 2021. Les was born on December 26, 1953, in Illinois, the eldest son of Edwin Ernest Warren and Cleofista Helena (Archuleta) Warren. It was the only year that his birthday wasn’t overshadowed by Christmas, but he never complained. When he was a baby, his mother would keep him busy for hours in his highchair with honey and Cheerios, which led him to despise sticky hands for the rest of his days. Les had many fond memories of his youth and the adventures he shared with his brothers and sister: watching John fall out of a car window and bump his head, losing Richard on a mountain in New Mexico, and teaching Sarah how to drive a car with a stick shift. Surprisingly, Les survived his childhood and graduated from Roseville High School, where he played all of the sports, was in the band and choir, and starred in the school plays. In high school, Les made the most important decision of his life and started dating his high school sweetheart, Janet Rankin. From their first date, they knew they wanted to be together forever. He wanted four kids, she wanted three – they ended up with seven, six daughters and one son. Les and Janet were married soon after high school and were happily married for over 48 years. When asked, each would say they didn’t know how they were so lucky to have found the other. They were truly a match made in heaven. Les was a man of many talents: cemetery groundskeeper, bus driver, insurance salesman, teacher, school principal, and pastor. His favorite role was father and he taught his kids so much by taking us to work with him. We saw his quiet authority when we rode on his school bus. He taught us the value of hard work and doing a job well when we went with him to the cemetery (even though we just went along to ride in the scoop of the tractor and play in the dirt). We learned about respect and service when we helped him raise and lower flags every Memorial Day. As a pastor, he was a shining example of living your spiritual truth and always striving for more. He always had time to listen to our joys and sorrows, laughing heartily and weeping sincerely with us along the way. His advice was always to follow what we believed God was leading us to do because then we could accomplish anything. He was right. Even when his body was weak, his hugs were strong and in his arms we were always safe and loved. Les was a man of great faith and immersed himself in the Scripture, constantly feeding his spirit with the Word of God. He loved to talk about Jesus and the wonderous works the Lord was doing, even in the midst of personal struggles. He sought teachings and ministry from the spiritual leaders around him, including Louie and Hilda Kump whom he considered to be his spiritual parents. People from all walks of life were drawn to the light Les could not contain. His humble spiritual leadership and gentle spirit eventually led many of the people he knew to think of him as a father. Les always looked forward to the day he would be joined with his Heavenly Father, but he truly made the most of his time with us. We know that he has been reunited in heaven with his parents, his brother Richard, Louie and other friends and family who were there to greet him. Les will be lovingly remembered by his devoted wife Janet, his daughters Renee (David) Green, Melinda (Shirocco) Youngblood, Jennifer Warren, Tiffany Warren, Brittany Warren, and McKenzie (Joshua) Thomas, and his son Spencer Warren. He will be greatly missed by his brother John Warren, his sister Sarah Ewen, and a bunch of nieces and nephews. His funny stories, playful spirit, and laughter will be carried in the hearts of all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We are grateful to all of the medical professionals who treated Les over the last several years, including the transplant unit at Tulane University and the ER and ICU staff at Memorial Hospital. We would particularly like to thank Dr. Douglas Lanier for going above and beyond to give Les the best quality of life he could have until the Lord called him home. We have opted not to have a service since our friends and family are all over the country. Please feel free to sign the register book and leave messages for the family at www.bradfordokeefe.com. Although we find ourselves with an enormous hole in our hearts, we find comfort knowing that he is free from the limitations of his physical body and he can see things as he never has before. We know that he has finally heard God say the words he always longed to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Pass Road in Biloxi, is honored to serve the Warren family.