Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

James Worthington

James W. (Jim) Worthington,63, passed away on February 3, 2005, at his home in Huxley, Texas.

Jim was born on May 26, 1941, in Prescott to John Tillman Worthington and Nancy Gist Worthington.

Funeral services were held on Sunday, February 6, 2005, at Toledo Bend Baptist Church in Huxley with Bro. Jack Forbis and Bro. Doyle English officiating. Interment followed at the Wimberly cemetery , also in Huxley.

Jim was born and raised in Prescott, where he was known as Jimmy Worthington. As a young child he loved being on the farm with Ma-Maw and Pa-Paw Worthington. He also started "working" at the early age of 10 with his grandmother, Maw-Gist in the grocery store. Jim loved fishing and hunting with his grandpa, Paw-Gist.

During his high school years, Jim's love of football led him to become one of Prescott's outstanding football stars of the late 50's. He was a star running back for the Prescott Curley Wolves and graduated in 1959. Jim was selected to the All-District team, received All-State honors, and was also honorable mention for the All-American team in football. He also excelled in all other sports like basketball, baseball, and track. He was selected to the All-District team in basketball.

Upon graduation, Jim was awarded an athletic scholarship to the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. While earning his degree in business, he continued his successes on the football field as a running back/tailback for the Razorbacks. While at Arkansas, Jim's Razorbacks were selected to play in several bowl games. He play in two Sugar Bowl games in New Orleans and one Cotton Bowl in Dallas. Jim graduated from the University in 1964, moved to New Orleans, La. for a short time, then moved to Shreveport, La. where he was employed as a production supervisor for Western Electric. Western Electric eventually became Lucent Technology. After 24 years of faithful service Jim retired at the early age of 48 years and he moved to Toledo Bend Lake in east Texas. Here he enjoyed children, grandchildren, friends and fishing and hunting. He loved fishing with the grandchildren.

Jim was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Shreveport, La. Attended Toledo Bend Baptist in Huxley.

Survivors include his wife, Nelda Worthington of Huxley; sons: James W. Worthington II of Richland Hills, Tex. and Scotty Liles and wife Linda of Stanley, La.; daughters: Nancy Kay Krail and husband Freddie of Kileen, Tex. and Shonda Elliott and husband Wayne of Huxley, Tex.;grandchildren: Kristin, Brittany, Chelsey, Cassidy, Kerri, Kathryn, Ashley and husband Chuck, Blake, Jordan, Kaleb and Ellie; brother: Gerry Worthington and wife Terri of Nashville, Arkansas.

He was preceded in death by his parents: John Tillman Worthington and Nancy Gist Worthington: grandparents: J.W. Gist and Bess Gist; J.M. Worthington and Johnnie Worthington.

Pallbearers were longtime friends: Gene Lung, Bill England, Ross Ochoa, Bert Furlow, Dave Headley, Charlie Patton, Dave Sherwood, Bob Allen, Marty Kuchar, Bill Morton and Ben Felts.