Obituary from Bakersfield Californian:
Warren Lee Toon , age 48, passed away 10/28/1998 in Tulare District Hospital. He was born 9/30/1950 in Tehachapi, CA to Frieda and Carl Toon. He was raised in Bakersfield and graduated from South High in 1968. He married Glenna McCombs, which ended in divorce. He later married Virginia Pasillas of Tulare.
Warren worked for a cable TV company for awhile and Southern Pacific RR until retirement.
He was survived by his wife Virginia and son, William; 3 stepchildren; 7 grandchildren; a brother, Stephen Carl; mother, Frieda and stepfather Robert Miller; a stepsister; and a sister, Jan Long.
A memorial service was held at United Methodist Church, Tulare.
Dave Bell
I Met him while working at the Kern High School District. I recognized him and called him by name. He quickly correct me as he had changed his name from warren to Lee Toon. He said that Warren sounded too aggressive, and had caused problems with his peaceful personality. He had always been nice and polite to me while we were in school.
Donald Allen
Lee (Warren) and I were friends and rode motorcycles together. Lots of fun and a bit of mischief too. When I saw him at one of the previous reuniions, he corrected me when I introduced him as Warren. He never really said why the change to Lee but knowing him, his reasoning could have been a multitude of thoughts. Reflecting his calm personality is as good as any. Very sad to hear of his passing.
James Reynolds
I just remember that Warren Toon was a lot different than the other kids at school.
For some reason, I always thought that he was working on “something” in the background. His creativity and energy was not content with just sitting there and talking with you, though he was a great conversationalist.
He usually had a big smile on his face and enjoyed the moment. I don’t recall that laughing was very difficult for him.
Toon. Somehow, the name always fit, on some level. He was a bit of a mystery to me, but I liked him.
As my dad used to say, “It’s easy to be friendly and likeable. It is hard to be different and interesting.”
He was plenty friendly, but also interesting.
Donald Allen
I would agree with everything you said Jim. Warren was very well read. Mostly books on politics, government, and WW II (the politics not the battles). Well beyond me. I only read stuff about cars and motorcycles. I didn't have a clue about politics. Lots to Warren behind the ever present smile.