Thomas Warren

Thomas (Tom) Lynn Warren passed away on June 30, 2018 from complications of heart failure, surrounded by his family. Tom was born on August 30, 1943 in Slayton, MN to parents Winthrop and Loretta (McKenny) Warren. He was raised on their family farm outside of Chandler, MN with his younger brother, Tim. During his junior year of high school, Tom was part of the now legendary Edgerton Flying Dutchman basketball team that won the 1960 state high school championship.  After high school, Tom spent a year at Iowa State University before transferring to General Beadle State Teachers College (now Dakota State University) in Madison, South Dakota. It was a good decision because he met Cheryl Kearin and after a few years, they were married on August 6, 1966. Tom and Cheryl both pursued their passion in teaching and moved to Jasper, MN. In 1970, they added a son, Jeff to their family and in 1973, their daughter Gina was born. In 1974 they moved to Albany, MN and later in 1987 moved to Alexandria, MN where they continue to live.

Tom was a fun loving, spunky and vibrant man who loved his family. He made friends wherever he went, even if it was just to the grocery store for a banana.  His passion for teaching and his love of his students was felt by everyone who entered his math or science classroom. His favorite students were those who struggled with math and who he could help the most to see how useful math could be. He coached basketball during much of his teaching career and could still sink a bucket anytime he had a ball in his hand. He often turned his coaching expertise on his own kids’ activities, never missing a golf tournament or gymnastics meet.

Tom’s many hobbies included exercising, golf, fishing, hunting, woodcarving and fast cars, specifically Ford Mustangs. He would often be on the greens and done golfing before the sun came up.  He had many friends in his life, of all ages and he was loved by so many people who shared in his many interests. Tom also loved food- some of his favorites were real Coke, popsicles, seafood of any kind and chips.

Tom received his Bachelor of Science in secondary education from Dakota State University in Madison, SD and his Masters Degree in Mathematics and Physics from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD. He taught junior high and high school math and science for 34 years in Jasper, Albany and Alexandria, Minnesota. He was a member of the Jaycees, a Boy Scout Leader for many years and also an official measurer for the Boone and Crockett Club.  He was a member of the Minnesota Education Association and National Education Association during his teaching career and served as the Regional President of the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics.

Tom is preceded in death by his parents, Winthrop and Loretta Warren, father-in-law Sid Kearin, brother-in-law Patrick Kearin, niece Julie (Kearin) Garceau and nephew Reed Warren. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Cheryl, son Jeff and Sheila (Nichols) Warren and their children Shania and Blake, his daughter Gina (Warren) and Brian Corcoran and their sons Finn, Getty and Paddy. He is also survived by  his brother Tim and Alexis Warren, his mother-in-law Elaine Kearin, sister-in-law Judy Kearin, brothers-in-law Denny and Donna Kearin, Mike and Connie Kearin and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be on Friday, July 6 from 4-7pm at Anderson Funeral Home with prayer service at 4pm. Funeral will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Saturday, July 7 at 10am in Alexandria, Minnesota.

In lieu of flowers (there are family members with allergies to flowers), please consider a potted plant or tree or a donation to the Mathematics Department at Dakota State University at https://apps.dsu.edu/forms/foundation/gift.aspx.   Cash donations will be used to make a golfer chainsaw carving as a memorial to Tom.