Thomas E. Warren was born on October 26, 1935, in Sandwich, Illinois. Tom graduated from Somonauk High School in 1953. From there, he pursued higher education, graduating from Iowa State University in 1957. He was a member of the Union Congregational Church in Somonauk.

Although Tom aspired to be a veterinarian, he ultimately chose a degree in agriculture, returning to Somonauk for a life as a farmer. In the 1970’s he was an early user of the ridge-till system for new crops, and he utilized this until he retired. Tom obtained patents for some of his ag-related inventions. He created a laser guidance system to steer tractors through the fiends while using the ridge-till system. Tom also developed a heat recovery system for grain dryers which reduced the cost of drying grain. He was a winner in the national competition for new and innovative ideas in agriculture. He displayed and discussed his invention at the national convention in Orlando, Florida. His grain drying invention was adapted and utilized by grain drying companies.

Tom loved the Somonauk community and did countless things to enrich it. One of his great enrichments was the design and donation of Finding Heroes Park to the community. The park represents a small-scale map of the world, with 1 foot equal to 100 statute miles, and provides a fundamental lesson in navigation spelled out in a beautiful park setting. It includes a presentation on all the cemeteries, monuments, and memorials affiliated with the American Battle Monument Commission. The flag pole at the center of the park represents Somonauk on a world map.

Thomas E. Warren of Somonauk, IL, passed away on January 7, 2015. The Thomas Warren & Friends Fund keeps the memory of Tom alive and is another of his many legacies that will live on, blessing the community. The Fund resides at the DeKalb County Community Foundation.