Jerry Needham Worthy, 91, Rotary District Governor in 2001-2002, died on Friday, 19 February 2021, at Big Spring. He will lie in state from 8:30 am-9 pm and the family will receive friends from 5-7 pm on 23 February 2021 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home. A Memorial Service at 2 pm 26 February 26, 2021 at Saint Mary’s Episcopal Church will be broadcast live at
St. Mary's Episcopal Church
He was born in Donie, Texas as the third son of parents Thomas Roy Worthy and Violet Everett Needham Worthy on November 9th, 1929. He was a pilot from an early age, influencing him to volunteer as a pilot in the Second World War as a volunteer in the Army Air Forces III Fighter Command Aircraft Warning Services. After he graduated from Teague High School in the spring of 1946, he went off to Baylor University, at only age 16. While a student in Baylor, he continued flying and was the president of the photography club. He developed most of his class from another club he was active in, the Esquire Club. After he graduated in 1950 with a BBA, he enlisted in the Air Force with his friend, Joe B. Farris, on February 2nd, 1951. He saw combat in 24 bombing missions over North Korea. After the war, he came to Big Spring for work, where he met and married Dr. Louise Ann Bennett on October 12, 1956. Together, they had three children, Ann Louise Worthy, Jerry Bennet (Jeb) Worthy and Roy Bishop Worthy.
Jerry lived a long and fulfilling life, some of his many achievements include: the founding of the Heritage Museum of Howard County, the founding of the Hanger 25 Air Museum, the renaming of the VA to the George H. O’Brien VA Medical Center (as well as the construction of The George O’Brien statue), the founding of the Big Spring Symphony, and helping grow the Big Spring Area Community Foundation. Similarly, he was involved in other areas, as he was district governor of the Rotary Club and highly involved in the Ranching Heritage Museum Association in Lubbock, where he was president.
He loved Big Spring and was always a strong advocate trying to discover ways of benefiting and growing our city.
Jerry is survived by two children, Ann Louis Worthy Stephenson of Christchurch, New Zealand, and Roy Bishop Worthy of Big Spring. A son-in-law, Timothy Robert Shaw Stephenson of Christchurch, New Zealand, and a daughter-in-law, Dr. Michelle Lee Wiggins Worthy of Big Spring. He is survived by one grandson, Jerry Bennett Worthy of Big Spring.
He is preceded in death by his son, Jerry Bennett (Jeb) Worthy, a brother, Robert Gayle Worthy, both his parents, and his wife, Dr. Louise Ann Worthy.
“What a great life he had! Warrior, father, mentor, grandfather, believer. He touched so many. Well done, sir!”
Arrangements are by Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home and Crematory.