Obituary of Warren Callender

WARREN DALE CALLENDER, 80 United States Navy and Polk County School Board AUBURNDALE ? Warren Dale Callender, 80, of Auburndale, FL, died after a long battle with cancer on Wednesday, July 11, 2012, at Good Shepherd Hospice in Auburndale. He was born May 22, 1932, in Wood River, IL. At the age of 17, shortly after graduating from high school, he joined the United States Navy. During the Korean War, he served on the aircraft carrier USS Philippine Sea. Beginning in 1964, he was assigned to the Aviation Technical Training Division as Advance Electronics Instructor. From 1965-66, he attended the US Naval ?B? School on Advanced Avionics. He was responsible for coordinating the activities of 18 separate work centers and for ensuring a ?fly? status of 26 various aircraft from 1969-1972. He was the Senior Enlisted Advisor at the Naval Air Station in Lake Hurst, New Jersey where he also held the position of Chairman of the Senior Enlisted Advisory Group and was Minority Affairs Representative. He achieved the Navy?s highest non-commissioned rank: Master Chief Petty Officer. He retired from the Navy with 20 years of decorated and distinguished service in July of 1972, and brought his family to Auburndale in August of the same year. He was instrumental in establishing the NJROTC Program at Auburndale Senior High School. During this time, he received his Bachelor of Science degree from Florida Southern College, and began teaching mathematics at Auburndale Senior High. For several years, he was responsible for the planning and coordination of the graduation ceremonies for AHS. He retired from the Polk County School Board after 22 years of service. He was a member of Orange Street Church of Christ in Auburndale. He was preceded in death by his parents, Turner Burdett and Dahlia C. (Roberston) Callender. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Sandra G. Callender of Auburndale, FL; three sons, Michael Callender (Dawn) and Mitchell Callender (Kelley) of Auburndale, FL, and Mark Callender (Gina) of Dothan, AL; three grandchildren, Ashley, McKenzie and Coleton; a sister, Judith Hoffman of Alton, IL; and several nieces and nephews. Services for Mr. Callender will be held at Kersey Funeral Home on Sunday, July 15, 2012. A time of visitation will be held from 2:00-3:30 pm with a short memorial service scheduled at 3:30. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Good Shepherd Hospice, 105 Arneson Avenue, Auburndale, FL 33823.