George Gordon Worthen


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Jun 9th, 2013

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  • Death Date: Jun 9, 2013

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Biography: George Gordon Worthen passed away at home on June 9, 2013. He was born in Little Rock, Arkansas on May 24, 1942. He is survived by his wife, Sherry, and their daughters Emilie Partis (Michael) and Ellen Worthen. Other surviving family members are his mother, Mary Fletcher Worthen, his brothers, Tom Worthen (Amy) and Bill Worthen (Kathy) and their families. George received his early education in Little Rock but attended high school as a boarding student at Battle Ground Academy in Tennessee. He went on to receive a degree in Economics and Business Administration from Davidson College in North Carolina. He earned his MBA at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and was also a graduate of the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers University and of the National Commercial Lending Graduate School at the University of Oklahoma. After receiving his MBA, George entered the Army and served at Fort Monroe, Virginia. While he served there as a young finance officer, he met Sherry and they were married at the Chapel of the Centurion by the same priest who baptized him. They made their home in Little Rock after the conclusion of George's military service as a Captain and he worked as a banker. In his early career George was an executive officer at one of the largest banks in the state, while later he focussed on community banking and continued to work at the Bank of Little Rock until shortly before his death. He loved that banking gave him a look at the inner workings of many different businesses. George was always very community oriented and believed in giving back. Soon after returning to Little Rock, he became involved in organizations that developed the residential areas of downtown such as the Quapaw Quarter Association, the Little Rock Historic District Commission, Neighborhood Housing Services and a private company which bought, renovated and sold houses in the downtown area. He was a long serving member of the American Heart Association, the Arkansas Nurses Association, the Donaghey Foundation, the Rotary Club, the 99 Foundation and the Mount Saint Mary Academy Foundation Board of Trustees. His passion for volunteerism resulted in him serving in leadership positions for many of these organizations. He was also active with professional organizations. He was a founding member of the local chapter of the Robert Morris Association, a trustee of the Barrett School of Banking in Memphis and recently served as the President of the Arkansas Community Bankers Association. George believed in serving causes that benefitted the community at large. He was associated with the Centers for Youth and Families and with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra for many years because of that belief. George and Sherry have been intrepid travelers throughout their lives, relishing the opportunity to explore different countries and cultures as well as much of the United States. He was also involved in horseback riding with his daughters through their childhood and rode with the Ferndale Hunt Club for several years. A funeral service will be held at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral on Wednesday, June 12 at 11 o'clock in the morning with the Reverend R. Ewing Jackson and Rev. Paul McLain officiating, followed by the burial at Mount Holly Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Centers for Youth and Families or to the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. Please donate to the Centers at P.O. Box 251970 Little Rock, AR 72225 or at http://centersforyouthandfamilies.org/. Please donate to the Symphony at P.O. Box 7328 Little Rock, AR 72217 or www.arkansassymphony.org. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.

Condolences(39)
Susan Gracey
#39
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Sherry, Ellen and Emilie- I just read the news of George; I was away in June and had not heard and am so sorry for your loss. He had a zest I loved and even a short conversation with him made the day better than before; it was an honor to be around him.
gilbert b. cohen
#38
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
George, Thank you. I thought I was the shortest boy in Junior High School, until we had a photograph taken of us in an 'Old Dan Tucker' stage play. Sherry, I will email you the photo if George lost it.
Michael McLeod
#37
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
George was a gift from God I am pleased to have called him a friend and have known him my life in Arkansas he has and will always hold a wonderful place in my heart and I know that of Gods. Mary I will pray that God gives you peace. I will miss Georges smiles and friendship. My prayers go out to all.
Mike McLeod
Linda and Lee Muldrow
#36
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Dear Emily, Ellen, and Sherry,

We are deeply saddened. George was such a gentleman. His big heart, his commitment to his family, and his upbeat demeanor were evident to all who knew him. His devotion to Mount St. Mary Academy
was a special gift to the school and the students. He truly will be missed!
Mary Healey
#35
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Dear Sherry,

My deepest sympathy goes out to you, Miss Mary and all the Worthen family. George made such a strong contribution to this, his community, all in the fine tradition of the Worthen Family's generations of integrity and giving back. He will be missed and his foot print felt for years to come.
Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers at this time of loss.

Mary Healey
Kathi Jones
#34
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Sherry and family,

George Worthen was one of the best! As my board president at Centers for Youth and Families Foundation, he was our leader, our counsel and our friend. George had the most wonderful spirit and he touched all who were lucky enough to know him. My husband Dave thought so highly of "his banker George." Our prayers are with you.
Paul Cook & Jeen Cook
#33
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Sherry and girls,

Our deepest regrets go out to your family. George was a great and kind man and he will never be forgotten. I believe he touched everyone?s lives that he met. I know he did for me. Mine, Jenn?s, and the rest of the Cook family prayers go out to your family.

Sincerely,


Paul Jr. & Jenn Cook
Milton A. DeJesus
#32
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Mr. Worthen: Thank you for being a good friend to me over the years; my life has been much richer for having known you. My fondest farewell and deepest condolences to your grand family.
Amanda Jegley
#31
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Dear Emily, Ellen, and Mrs. Worthen,

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Mr. Worthen was very kind. I fondly remember him cheering Ellen and Emilie on at horse shows and Pony Club rallies. My thoughts are with you.

- Amanda
Carol M. Dyer
#30
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Dear Sherry and family,

Our thoughts are with each of you as you deal with your loss. George was a faithful and long time volunteer with the American Heart Association and serves as a role model for so many of us. We hold you in our hearts in this time of sorrow.

Sincerely,

Carol Dyer
Richard Wilhelm
#29
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
So many memories over so many years--shocked, sad and prayerful. We had great fun and you were always the kind and caring one. Rick Wilhelm
Margaret AE Miller
#28
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
So sorry for your loss, Mary, and for your family's sadness.
Samantha Blaylock
#27
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
To the Worthen Family and my Bank of Little Rock Family:

Words cannot express how saddened I am for this loss, Mr. Worthen was such a great man and an Awesome Leader to us here at Bank of Little Rock. You never saw him without a smile even through the last few months of him going through treatment, he was always there showing us how to be a great leader. It will not be the same at BLR without him but I will never forget his kind heart and positive words. Thank you Sherry and the girls for sharing him with us. We Love you guys and will be praying for you!
Lee Rogers
#26
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Aww, man, what a darn shame! Please know, Sherry, that George was well loved by all who knew him. Although my time as a banker in Little Rock was short - and some 40 years ago - my memories of times with George and with the whole Worthen clan remain some of my favorites. His cheerful attitude brightened many a day for so many people.
Shannon Treece
#25
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
My thoughts are with your family at this time. Although I did not know him well, George always had a kind word whenever I saw him, whether it was as he was walking your big sweet dog in the neighborhood or at a horse show. He will be missed by many.
Ralph Cloar
#24
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Madalyn Dortch
#23
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
What a nice, gentle, sweet, wonderful man. He brought so much good to this world. Heaven will love having him, I'm sure.. Love to all his girls he leaves behind, starting with his Mama...
Michael Upson
#22
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
A great loss to our community. My prayers are with the Worthen Family. Peace of Christ be with you all at this time.
Michael Upson, RN
Board of Directors Presbyterian Village
Ashley Maris McCoy
#21
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
My heart is heavy with the news of George's passing. He was always one of my favorite cousins. Sherry, I smile when I think of all the time spent in your house in my early adulthood. Babysitting Emilie and Ellen, housesitting with Mollie, and countless hours just visiting. Please know that you and the girls are dear to me and I will hold you in my thoughts and prayers.
All my love,
~Ashley
jack and judy Belford
#20
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Ellen and family - our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Charlene Rowell
#19
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
I worked with George many years at Worthen Bank &
Trust. He was well respected by all who knew him. A real leader and motivator. May his family find peace in knowing he spent life at its
best!! He helped others have a better life.

Our prayers to you at this time.
Andra Dillard
#18
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
My heartfelt condolences to the wonderful Worthen family. My prayers are with you.
Kay and Susan Goss
#17
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Sherry and girls, Mary, and Bill and Kathy,

You are in our thoughts and prayers! We love you, as we loved George. He was a perfect example of how wonderful and impactful one individual can be.

Susan said it better than I could yesterday, when Julianna Jarrad Brandenberger told us yesterday: "He had one of the brightest lights and cheerful spirits of anyone who has crossed my path. I feel very lucky to have known him."

Your friends, Kay and Susan Goss
NANCY HOLLIS
#16
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
This is my 36th year with Bank of America. I was privileged and fortunate to join the Bank when it was Worthen Bank. I literally grew up at the bank with the guidance and counselling from Jim Penick, Jr. and George Worthen. In later years I was likewise fortunate to have training classes with the Bank of Little Rock under the guidance of George Worthen and Pete Maris, both former Worthen Bank Executives. This is a sad day for Arkansas Bankers but a joyful day for George as he is suffering no longer and in the hands of our Lord. To the Worthen family, my deepest gratitude for the opportunities given me and may the Peace of Christ be with you. For George, my friend, my mentor, I will miss you but am comforted you are in Heaven with no pain and at peace.

Sincerely,
Nancy Hollis
Kimberly Harris
#15
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
To the Worthen and BOLR family, my thoughts and prayers are with you! This is a great loss to the community! During my time at BOLR George was always displayed professionalism with a smile. I feel very privileged to have meet and worked for such a wonderful man!
Pat Phillips
#14
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
I first met George when he served as a summer intern at Worthen Bank in the mid 1960's, and worked with him there for many years. It was a joy and privilege to know him and count him as my friend. His memory will always be dear to my heart.
Rod Lorenzen
#13
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Dear Sherry and Family: We are so saddened by this news. Please accept our sincere condolences and know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. We were certainly privileged to have known George. Rod Lorenzen and Family.
Georgia L. Hickey
#12
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
It was my good fortune to not only work for Worthen Bank and Trust Co., but also for George at Bank of Little Rock. What a great Banker and Father also. He will be missed by many.
With Prayers.
Richard Wheeler
#11
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
I knew George through the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Board. He was especially kind to me when I was just getting started on the board, and for the entire time I have been associated with the ASO he has been involved and important to that organization. I will miss seeing him. I am very sorry for his passing.
Terri Vanlandingham
#10
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
I am so sorry for your family's loss. Mr. Worthen was always so kind and quick with a smile when I would see him at the office, even through his illness. Such a nice, wonderful and great man. He will be greatly missed. Thoughts and prayers to all of his family and close friends during this time of heartbreaking loss.
Dee Herring Gatlin
#9
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
The community has lost so much with the passing of George Worthen. He made a difference!
Art
#8
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Sherry, Diane & I extend our sympathy to you & your family. Enjoyed seeing & visiting with you & George In D.C. in April at our annual Community Bankers visit. Art & Diane
Bev Lambert
#7
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
George was a great friend to his many friends, a solid banker, and always had a winning smile for everyone . . . he will be missed!!
Doris and Joel Abramson
#6
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
We are so sorry about George. Our hearts go out to the entire family at this sad and difficult time. Sincerely,
Doris and Joel Abramson
Dan Wojcik
#5
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Always the gentleman. The community lost a good one. Prayers and thoughts with Sherry, his family and loved ones.
Richard & Cindy Trammell
#4
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Bryan Ray
#3
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Although I have only had the opportunity to work with Mr. Worthen for a brief period of time, I have been greatly touched by the many lives he touched in Little Rock. He will be greatly missed by many, and I am honored to have known him.
Lee Ann Hogue
#2
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Sherry and family,
George was such a fine man and a great example for all of us that had the privilege of knowing him and working with him. He always had kind words and a positive influence for all of us at the Bank of Little Rock. We loved him and will miss him greatly. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. George would pat us on the back and say "Good Show" for a job well done. "Good Show!Mr Worthen" You are loved!
Lee Ann Hogue, BLR Rodney Parham
Larry & Sue Brown
#1
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Sherry,

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the girls.

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