Charles Thomas “Tom” Warthen

January 29, 1949 - July 3, 2024

A Celebration of the Life of Charles Thomas “Tom” Warthen, 75, of Newark will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, July 20, 2024 in the Newark Chapel of Vensil & Chute Funeral Home with Pastor Eric Miller officiating. Visitation will be observed from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. prior to the service.

Tom was called to his eternal home on July 3, 2024 at Licking Memorial Hospital after a short battle with Leukemia. He was born in Newark, Ohio on January 29, 1949 to the late Arthur and Dorothy Mae Warthen.

Tom was a 1971 graduate of The Ohio State University, School of Music, where he was a proud member of “The Best Damn Band In The Land!”. After a brief time as a music teacher, he worked for State Farm as well as several other companies over the years. A lover of all things involving music, he would often be found playing bass guitar in bands around Newark. For many years he was a youth choir director at the First United Methodist in Newark. He always said that those kids, “will always be family to me.”

Tom, who always enjoyed the company of others, never met a stranger. Whether it was riding his Harley or playing trivia at BW3’s, or cheering on his beloved Buckeyes. He was always smiling, and never turned down a hug. He will be greatly missed by his many friends and family.

He is survived by his daughters; Bethany Warthen, Jennifer (Louie) Johnson, and Amy (Mike) Gray; 5 grandchildren, Sidney, Katie, Zeke, Emily, and Hank; his sister Donna (Lee) Parsons, 2 nephews, Doug (Trenna) and David (Sally), and niece Diana (Randy); and several great-nieces and nephews, and cousins.

In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by his brother, Richard; and several other relatives.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Tom’s name can be made to The Ohio State University, School of Music, Fund number: 305199, 110 Weigel Hall, 1866 College Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210; or to Hospice of Central Ohio, 2269 Cherry Valley Road, Newark, Ohio 43055.

Tom was a member of the marching band in 1968 and 1969. He played Baritone.