L. Warren Emery, 96, died Wednesday, August 11, 2021, at Londonderry Village, Palmyra, Pennsylvania, where he had resided since 2012. He was married to Pearl S. (Schnoke) Emery for 69 years until her death in 2017.
Born in Philadelphia on July 22, 1925, he was the son of the late Robert W. Sr. and Anna (Chapman) Emery.
With the onset of World War II, Warren enlisted in the US Navy during his senior year at John Bartram High School, and he was called up to begin his training in February 1943. He served aboard PC-1176, which included participation near Utah Beach during the D-Day invasion of Normandy. Warren was one of only two crew members who were assigned to PC-1176 for the full period of its commission, 1943-1946. In 1951 Warren was re-called to serve during the Korean Conflict, based out of Charleston, SC.
Warren earned a bachelor’s degree from Lock Haven University (1950) and a master’s degree from Indiana University in 1957. In 1952 he began his teaching career at Old Trail School (Akron, OH), and continued a few years later at Beachwood High School (OH). Warren and his family relocated to Dover, Delaware, in 1965 when he joined the faculty of Dover High School. He taught physical education and health classes, coached the tennis team, and served as athletic director for several years.
Throughout his life, Warren enjoyed being outdoors and the beauty of the natural world. He appreciated the ocean, watching the sunset, hiking to view a dramatic vista, and camping under the stars. He could identify trees by their bark, knew which woodland plants were edible, and could build a bright campfire to warm a chilly night.
Warren was interested in all sports, both as a spectator and a participant, and he remained fond of the Philadelphia professional teams he had followed from his youth. He played golf into his 80s and was swimming laps at the Londonderry Village pool into his 90s.
After Warren retired from teaching in 1987, he continued an active life traveling the U.S. with Pearl, proudly attending the sporting and milestone events of his grandchildren, and organizing reunions of high school, college, and Navy shipmates.
Warren also used his early retirement years to serve others. He volunteered in the emergency room at Bayhealth Hospital (formerly Kent General, Dover), and later became an advocate for children in foster care as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) of the Delaware Court system.
Warren was a member of the Presbyterian Church of Dover for more than forty years. He was active in the church community and served several leadership roles.
Warren is survived by his four children and their spouses, Gayle Merrefield (David), New York, NY; Glenn Emery (Sheri), Atlanta, GA; Gary Emery (Pam), Lebanon, PA; Gretchen Emery (Kenneth Windle), Newark, DE. He also leaves seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren: Clark (Sarah) Merrefield and their children Theodore and Sylvia, Rachel Emery, David Emery (Tessa Opperman), Harper Emery, Jackson Emery, Samuel McKamey, Jessica McKamey. A cousin, Charles C. Emery (Barbara), and a nephew Robert Emery, also survive. In addition to his wife and parents, Warren was preceded in death by his brother, Robert William Emery, II, and niece Jane Emery.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 28, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. in the Grose Funeral Home, Inc., 358 W. Washington Ave., Myerstown. Interment will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Myerstown.
The family wishes to acknowledge the staff of Londonderry Village for the superior care provided to Warren and Pearl during their final years. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Good Samaritan Fund of Londonderry Village are suggested.
