Dr. Thomas Leo Warren died at home on August 22, 2018, with his family and hospice nurse at his side. A memorial service will be held at 4:00pm on Saturday, September 1, 2018 at the Strode Funeral Home Chapel.

He was born August 29, 1937, in Evansville, Indiana, to Ruth Olivia and James Leo Warren.

Tom and Mary Lee Hitch were married August 17, 1963, and celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary just last week. They had two sons, Brian Thomas and Scott James.

Tom earned a B.A. in Liberal Arts (English and Microbiology) from Evansville College (now the University of Evansville), a M.S. degree in English Education, and M. Phil. from Indiana University, and a Ph.D., both in English, from the University of Kansas.

His teaching career has included Central Missouri State Residence Center (Independence, MO.), the University of Missouri at Kansas City, the University of South Dakota at Springfield, and Oklahoma State University.

Tom, who was considered one of the three founders of the field of technical communication, was a Society for Technical Communication (STC) Fellow; STC Jay R. Gould Award for Excellence recipient; Fellow, Association of Teachers of Technical Writing; Distinguished Service Award, Council for Programs in Technical and Scientific Communication; and was the first person from outside the UK to receive the Hockley Award from the Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicators (England). He was professor emeritus of English (Technical Writing) at OSU, where he established the B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. Technical Writing programs. He was a past president of INTECOM, an international organization of technical communication societies, and served as guest professor at the University of Paderborn, Germany for 20 years.

Tom published 4 books and over 90 refereed articles (peer reviewed) as well as making over 90 refereed presentations to conferences in the U.S.A. and Europe. He wrote book reviews for Technical Communication, the journal of the Society for Technical Communication. As a consultant, he offered workshops to American Airlines Maintenance workers, Reda Pump (Bartlesville), Conoco-Philips Research and Development (Bartlesville), American Society of Agricultural Consultants, American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, The Principal Financial Group, Southwestern Bell, and the Tulsa District Army Corps of Engineers. In addition, he was a contract and coordinating editor for PenWell Publishers, the Society for Technical Communication, and the American Society of Petroleum Geologists. He was an advisor for the Research and Testing Department of the Association of American Railroads.

Tom was a devoted Mason and received his Blue Lodge degrees from Mt. Zion Lodge #6, Springfield, SD, in 1975. Tom and his family moved to Stillwater in 1977, and he transferred his membership to Frontier Lodge #48. There, he served as Chaplain for 2 years. He also served as temporary Treasurer and Secretary. He was elected Junior Warden, Senior Warden, and Worshipful Master (2016).
He was also a 32° Scottish Rite Mason and a member of York Rite, where he was Illustrious Master in Stillwater Council #50, Captain of the Host in Stillwater Chapter #14, and Standard Bearer/Hermit/Guard in St. John’s Commandery #8. He also held dual membership with Cimarron Valley (Drumright) Commandery. He was a member of the Oklahoma Lodge of Research, the Scottish Rite Research Society, AMD, and has been elected to the Masonic Society of Æthelstan. A lifelong scholar, Tom especially enjoyed reading and writing about the history of Masonry in the U.S.A. and Europe. He most recently enjoyed fellowship with the Lodge Neuhaus #946, in Paderborn. This Lodge is a traditional British Lodge.

Tom was an accomplished musician, playing the piano, alto sax, clarinet, and banjo. He enjoyed all kinds of music, from classical to jazz, and enjoyed following Brian’s progress with his business, K-Singer Entertainment. With son Scott (the computer guru) as his computer support, Tom kept up with the latest computer technology and gadgets.

Tom traveled internationally, sometimes several times a year, taking Mary Lee with him when she could leave her work. They traveled to Australia, Germany, England, France, Norway, Sweden, Holland, Belgium, Italy, and to many cities in the United States. Tom also traveled with his wife for her professional activities, acting as her “sherpa.” During his years of retirement, and during his final illness, Tom and Mary Lee would reminisce about their trips and the friends they made, enjoying their travels all over again.

Tom loved his family and took special pride in his sons, Brian and Scott, and his great granddaughter, Serinity Novotny. He had an abiding love and respect for all living creatures and throughout his married life had (and sometimes tolerated) a series of cats, dogs, hermit crabs and fish. Thinking about his wife’s well-being after his death, Tom recently encouraged her to adopt Hannah, an 8-year old rescue dog.

Tom is survived by his wife Mary Lee; son Brian Warren of Stillwater; and son Scott Warren and his life partner, Naomi Sauer, of Allen, Texas; his precious great granddaughter Serinity Novoty, and her grandparents Bill and Donna Novotny. He is also survived by one sister-in-law, Lu Fulford, Indianapolis IN; one brother-in-law, Jack Ost, Bloomington, IN; and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to Karman Legacy Hospice of Stillwater or Wings of Hope Oklahoma in Tom's name.


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