Henry Andrew Worden

 Lenoir, NC—Mr. Henry Andrew Worden, age 74, passed away on Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at the Robbins Center Hospice after a long struggle with colon cancer. Mr.Worden was born in Detroit, Michigan, on January 13, 1938 to the late Henry Addison Worden and Lenna Lanphere Worden. He was married to Donna Alexander Worden, “the girl across the street”, for 49 years. Mr Worden was an Air Force veteran and later worked as an insurance adjuster in Michigan. After moving to Lenoir, he worked for 11 years at the Blue Ridge Electric Corporation and also taught basic skills at Caldwell Community College. Note from his children: “Dad was a unique man with so many interests. A Wayne State University graduate with a degree in English Literature, he spent his entire life reading and learning more about ancient and modern history, the sciences, religions, literature and multiple languages. He was able to try out his excellent French-speaking skills on a trip with his family to Paris in 2009. Nicknamed “The Professor”, he freely shared his knowledge with others. Even while very ill, he was still naming key characters of the French Revolution and of the Roman Empire. As Nikki so aptly put it, “Before there was Google, there was Dad.” Very much a free spirit, Dad always felt an affinity with the wide open spaces of the American West yet he was very comforted and happy when surrounded by his loved ones at family gatherings. He learned to play guitar in his earlier years and spent time in the evenings singing John Denver songs. He identified with the song “MargaritavilleӉ€”always ‘searchin’ for his lost shaker of salt.’ He continued to play piano throughout his life, learning his classical favorites just for his own enjoyment. Dad loved sailing and camping in the Great Lakes area earlier in his life; he loved going on road trips and finding the local diner instead of seeking out fast food; he found Indian lore fascinating. A very honest and generous man, Dad always had a dollar in his pocket for someone down on his luck. He shared his final lesson learned in life one day leaving the doctor’s office: “We should just help one another. That’s what we’re really here for: to help one another.” As one of his long-time friends said recently, he will be remembered as a Scholar and a Gentleman of the World.” In addition to his parents, Mr.Worden was preceded in death by his son, Scott Andrew Worden, who passed away at the age of 5 in 1972. He is survived by his beautiful wife, Donna; his daughters and their husbands, Amy and Kevin Westmoreland of Asheville, NC; Nikki and Bryan Messing of Asheville, NC; his son, Dan Worden and fiancee’, Kristy Keene of Holly, Michigan; his sister, Marguerite Godard of Saginaw, Michigan; his grandchildren, Matthew and Lauren Westmoreland; and his soon-to-be grandson, Dakota Keene. The family will have a private memorial service for Mr.Worden at a later date, at his own request. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Caldwell Hospice, 902 Kirkwood Street,Lenoir, NC. Online condolences may be sent to the Worden Family at www.evansfuneralservice.com. Evans Funeral Service and Crematory is serving the Worden Family. PDF Printable Version