Don Worthington Sr

Don Worthington, Sr., passed away February 10, 2009 at his home. He was born January 29, 1931 in Newcomerstown, Ohio, to Sylvia Frank and Lena Mae Worthington who preceded him in death. Donald Willmer Worthington was the third of five children. Don grew up and lived most of his childhood in Ohio and joined the Marine Corps in 1951 and proudly served his country in Korea from 1951 to 1952. While in the Marine Corps he was one of the few selected for an operation involving the testing of a nuclear bomb in Nevada. Upon discharge from the Marines (as a Sergeant) he married his wife Jo who was the love of his life. They moved to Southern California and had six children. In 1966, they moved to Rogue River, which was the place he loved most, and was the place he called home. He began his work in Southern Oregon as a bread man with Oroweat. Later on Don and Jo owned and operated the Wimer Market from 1975 to 1998. One of his favorite things was to be around people and talk with them as friends and neighbors.

He also was in Real Estate and the founder of Covered Bridge Realty in Wimer, where he worked for 30 years until December of 2008. He was always one to have a conversation with whomever. He was always one to make people smile. He loved life and people and always wanted to help others.

Don, our Dad, will be sorely missed by his wife and kids, all who were around him until the end. We said our thanks and gave our love to a great man and dad. He is survived by his wife of almost 55 years, Josephine (Jo); three sons, Don Jr. and his wife Sheryl, Mark and girlfriend Cathy, and Greg and his wife Kelly; three daughters, Suzan Thompson, Dawn Marie Fletcher and her husband Dennis, and Jill McConnell and her husband Mike; 18 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Frank and Lowell Worthington; a sister, Marlena (Cookie) Bird, kid brother (nephew Gary Cronin), survived Don. He was preceded in death by a sister Evelyn in 1942, who he loved and missed. His family would like to say, “Thanks to a Wonderful Life Dad…Semper Fi!”

In lieu of flowers, Don has asked to make donations to the American Cancer Society or the Church of Christ in Rogue River.