Engineer, farmer read to 1st graders

10/2/2004

ARCADIA, Ohio - James D. Warren, 69, a farmer and a retired engineer who was an avid volunteer reader for Arcadia schools, died of a heart attack Thursday at his 1846 family farm in Hancock County's Washington Township.

Mr. Warren, who farmed soybeans, corn, and wheat since he was 7 years old, also worked as an engineer for 40 years, most recently for Cooper Tire & Rubber, Findlay, from which he retired in 1996 after 37 years.

Known to local children as "Grandpa Warren," he enjoyed reading to Arcadia first graders every Friday for the last six years, his wife of nearly 50 years, Marna Warren, said.

Born on the 345-acre family farm, Mr. Warren, a 1953 Arcadia High graduate who got his bachelor's degree from Tri-State College of Engineering in 1956, combined farming with engineering most of his life.

"He loved the farm, the wildlife, and his big tractors and snowblowers," his wife said.

Mr. Warren was a member of Arcadia United Methodist Church, Arcadia Lions Club, and area Masonic organizations. He donated to the Washington Township fire department, Arcadia High School band, and Masonic events.

Surviving are his wife, Marna; sons, James A. and Sandy; daughter, Patricia Sanchez; sister, Lelia F. Horton; seven grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter.

The body will be in the Coldren-Crates Funeral Home, Findlay, after 4 p.m. today, with a Masonic service at 7 p.m. tomorrow. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Arcadia United Methodist Church.

The family suggests tributes to the Arcadia Athletic Boosters, Shrine Burns Center in Boston, or the church.