Conrad Ward Warren

Conrad Ward Warren, age 89, died peacefully on September 13, 2021. Born on November 15, 1931 in Lawrence County, Tennessee. Conrad was the son of Clifford Lea and Delcia (Pennington) Warren. Following the death of his older 6 year-old sister, the family moved to Columbia, Tennessee. Upon his graduation from Columbia Central High School in 1950, he joined the Navy serving in Japan during the Korean War as a communication technician. Upon discharge in 1954 he applied to the Armed Forces Security Agency (later to become the National Security Agency).

While on leave from the Navy, his cousin introduced him to Ginger (Virginia) Goolsby of Summertown, Tennessee. They were married in Nashville on April 22, 1955 and moved immediately to Washington D.C. where he began his new job as a radio operator for AFSA in Arlington, Virginia. Later that year Conrad and Ginger moved to Germany when he was transferred to a NATO base. They returned to the US in 1957 and again transferred to an Army base in Frankfurt, Germany in 1959, returning to the US in 1961.

Upon return from Germany, the young couple purchased a home in Ellicott City, Maryland in 1962. Subsequently, the family relocated when Conrad had multi-year assignments in England and much later in North Carolina, returning always to the family home in Ellicott City.

Conrad was a pioneer in development and technique for ELINT, an electronic intelligence system at the NSA. His expertise was much sought-after and he frequently presented briefs and contributed to seminars at very high levels in both the civilian and military intelligence community, including the Pentagon. From early in his career he received citations, commendations, and awards for excellence in his work and ability to impart his knowledge and train others in the field. He received a Meritorious Service Award from NSA Director Admiral Inman for his work in ELINT in 1978.

Although Conrad retired from the agency in 1986, he worked in his field for many DOD contractors, often working at the same desk at the NSA. In 2000, he received a citation for 50 years continuous Intelligence service to the United States. He retired permanently in 2009 at the age of 78.

Conrad enjoyed fishing on the Chesapeake Bay, throwing darts, playing cards, reading science fiction, spy novels and mysteries, and working in his garden. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.

Conrad is survived by his beloved wife Ginger of Ellicott City, Maryland, his son Neil Warren, of Ellicott City, Maryland, his daughter Rebecca Meade (Keith) of Sykesville, Maryland, and his daughter Victoria Caruthers (David) of Easton, Maryland, three granddaughters Emma Meade (Dublin, Ireland), Chloe Meade (Boston, Massachusetts), Hannah Meade (Sykesville, Maryland).

Conrad is predeceased by his parents, his sister Marjorie, and his brother David.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Conrad's memory to your local PBS or the charity of your choice.

A Graveside Service, with military honors, will be held on Friday, September 17, 2021 beginning at 2pm at the St. John's Cemetery, Ellicott City. The recorded service is available HERE 

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