Donald "Don" E. Warren

Donald (“Don”) E. Warren, age 92, of Knoxville, passed away on June 18, 2026. Don was born in Paducah, KY on December 24, 1933. He was a graduate of Augusta Tilghman High School in Kentucky and continued his education at Paducah Junior College before earning a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Tennessee.

Don proudly served his country in the United States Army as a Radar Technician Third Class at Holloman Air Force Base at White Sands Proving Grounds in New Mexico. Following his military service, Don worked for six years at Union Carbide Nuclear in Paducah, Kentucky, as an instrument mechanic.

Don later relocated to the Knoxville, TN area to begin a long and distinguished career with the Tennessee Valley Authority. Over nearly 40 years with TVA, he made significant contributions. Don worked as an instrument mechanic on TVA’s first nuclear reactor which was a joint project with ORNL. After that project was cancelled, he transferred to what is now called the Norris Engineering Laboratory providing much needed technical support. During his time at the lab, he attended the University of Tennessee and earned his engineering degree. He was central in the design of the TVA valley wide automatic rain and stream gauge network. Don managed an instrumentation unit located in downtown Knoxville that continued the development of data collections systems for rain, stream, hydrothermal, solar homes, and various other projects, such as warning sirens for the nuclear plants and differential GPS stations throughout the United States. One of Don’s proudest achievements was a collaboration with several coworkers on the development of a borehole flowmeter, for which they were awarded a patent.

Don and his wife, Judy, were longtime, active members, of the Norwood Church of Christ. They were members of the K-Town Sam’s Chapter of the Good Sam’s Club, a camping club in which they formed lasting friendships and enjoyed decades of travel adventures in their Winnebago traveling across the continental United States and Canada.

Don was also dedicated to serving others in his community. As a Boy Scouts of America Cub Scout volunteer, he mentored the Scouts at Lonsdale United Methodist Church (Pack 2). His leadership and encouragement contributed to many successful Pinewood Derby races for the inner-city troop he supported.

An avid photographer, Don could often be found behind the camera, capturing cherished memories for his family, friends, and club members.

Don obtained his Amateur Radio License (KN4NEO) at the age of 89 and progressed to its highest rank within two months. He was an active member of East Tennessee DX Association.

Don had a deep love for God, his family, friends, camping, and the Tennessee Volunteers. A longtime season ticket holder, he rarely missed a Vols football or basketball game.

Don was a devoted husband, a patient and engaged father, and a proud and active grandfather who was almost always at his grandchildren’s school and sporting events (taking pictures). A man of few words, when he spoke everyone listened. Because of his intelligence, engineering training, and elite problem-solving skills he was who you called when you needed help with almost any problem. His grandchildren knew that if something needed fixing, that he was the one to do it.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Carl Warren and Virgie Stewart, and by his devoted and beloved wife of more than 62 years, Judith (“Judy”) Benson Warren. He is survived by his sons, D. Ray Warren and wife, Brandy, and Daniel Warren and wife, Jennifer; and by his cherished grandchildren, Hannah, Mason, Hayden, Lillian, and Ari.

Family will receive friends Friday, June 26th from 1-2pm at Berry Lynnhurst Funeral Home with Funeral Service at 2:00 pm. A Graveside Service will immediately follow at Lynnhurst Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Norwood Church of Christ, 6001 Central Ave Pike, Knoxville, TN 37912.

Condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.berrylynnhurst.com for the Warren family.