Thomas Calvin "Tom" Corron's Obituary
Thomas Calvin "Tom" Corron, 70, passed away on Monday, February 23, 2026, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was born in St. Charles, Illinois on April 2, 1955, to Calvin Morris Corron and Dorothy Louise (Switzer) Corron.
Tom has many fond memories of his shenanigans growing up a stone's throw away from the Historic Corron Farm in Campton Hills, Illinois with his brothers and sister, often telling stories about milking the dairy cows, getting into trouble with his cousin Dave, and baling hay. Tom's love of the farm led him to be a Co-Founder and then Board Chair Emeritus of the Corron Farm Preservation Society, dedicating his efforts to ensuring the farm would be preserved for all to enjoy for years to come.
After graduating from St. Charles High School in 1973, Tom attended Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa graduating in 1977, later returning for his Masters in Public Administration in 2004. Most of his professional career was at Guide One (Preferred Risk) serving as an underwriter, manager, and then running the motorsports division. He joked that he had to buy a motorcycle if he was going to be insuring them, which led to buying his first Honda and joining the motorcycle group at his church, "Hope's Angels."
As a kid he loved playing baseball, with his dad coaching him from the sidelines, and dreaming of one day playing for his beloved Chicago Cubs. As an adult he loved playing softball with his brother and sharing the love of the game with his kids. He was always happiest sitting in the stands eating a hot dog and peanuts while cheering on the Chicago Cubs, Iowa Cubs, and Fort Wayne TinCaps. Baseball was always his first love, but if you spent any time with him, you would also know how much he loved his Chicago Bears.
Tom loved nothing more than standing before a crowd with a microphone in his hand. A natural storyteller with a quick wit and an easy, confident presence, he made every audience feel at home. That gift led him to serve as emcee for the Waukee Big Band, work gatherings, civic events, church programs, and countless community groups, where his warmth and humor left a lasting impression.
He was a man of faith where he found community, friendship, and affirmation in the scriptures and in the friendship of the congregation. He was a member of St John's Lutheran Church in Des Moines, then Faith Lutheran Church and Lutheran Church of Hope, both in West Des Moines, and joined Harvest Fellowship after moving to Fort Wayne with his second wife, Allison Corron.
Tom and Allison shared a love of theater. They performed in plays together and hosted several casting parties and card playing nights with friends made through the First Presbyterian Theater in Fort Wayne. Tom especially loved taking on the roles of Dale Harding in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Chuck Jackson in My Dead Clown.
Since being diagnosed with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency in 2005 he volunteered as a local support group leader and advocate for patients with Alpha-1 and COPD with a goal to raise awareness with healthcare professionals and patients, as it remains widely underdiagnosed. He was a patient educator at the School of Medicine Fort Wayne and served as a board member for the Alpha-1 Association and the Alpha-1 Foundation. For his advocacy and participation in clinical studies, he was presented with The Board of Director's Dedication Award in 2017 by the Alpha-1 Foundation.
Tom will be remembered by his friends and family for his infectious laugh. He leaves a legacy of having a big smile wherever he went, a radio voice without ever being on the radio, and a vast knowledge about everything and nothing at all. He was respected by those he worked with and known for lending a helping hand to causes near and dear to his heart.
He is survived by his mother, Dorothy (Switzer) Corron; children, Denise (Tony) Burrow, Daniel (Rachel) Corron, Elizabeth (Jordon) Elwell, Emily (Ray) Steger, Michael Trotter, Donald (Savanna) Trotter, David Trotter, and Matthew Trotter; siblings, Myron (Leslie) Corron, Julie Corron and Ned (Wendy) Corron; fifteen grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Allison, and his father, Calvin Corron.
Family would like to sincerely thank friends, staff, and caregivers at Evergreen Village Assisted Living, Parkview Regional Medical Center, and Comfort Keepers.
Visitation is 12 p.m. with a Memorial service at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Harper's Community Funeral Home, 740 St. Rd. 930 E., New Haven. There will be a Celebration of Life at the Historic Corron Farm on June 13, 2026, with more details to come. In lieu of flowers, please make any donations to Corron Farm Preservation (CFPS) Society PO Box 155, Wasco, IL 60183 or Zelle to CFPS2026. For online condolences please visit www.harperfuneralhome.com.
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