Samuel Worthington
January 28, 1938 — June 30, 2011
Samuel J. Worthington, 73, died June 30, 2011 in Fort Wayne Indiana.
He was born January 28, 1938 in Van Wert, Ohio to the late Norman Jack and Genevieve "Jenny" (Vena) Worthington. Mr. Worthington graduated from Van Wert High School in 1956. He attended The Ohio State University from 1964-1967, majoring in research, math, physics, and chemistry. He had also attended Military and Federal Schools.
He retired in March 1998 with almost 40 years of Military and Federal Civil Service with the Pentagon. His highest rank was Senior Executive Service Level 4 equal to 3 Star General- promoted to this position in 1989 by Vice President Cheney when he was Secretary of Defense. In his last position held before retiring, Mr. Worthington served as Director of Information Technology (Pentagon) for all Departments of Defense Weapon Systems. After retiring, he moved back to Van Wert. In 2002, he was chosen to serve as the Grand Marshall for the Van Wert County Peony Festival. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and a member of the Van Wert American Legion and V.F. W. Posts. Survivors include a son, Warren Worthington, two daughters, Paula Worthington, Charleen Fuentes four grandchildren, Michael Worthington, Kendall Boulton, Allynah Thompson, and Angel Fuentes, a sister, Linda (Arthur) Pugh of Lima, Ohio; a brother, Tim (Faye) Worthington of Atlanta, GA; a special brother James V. Worthington Sr. of Van Wert. Cousins: James V. Worthington Jr. of Convoy, and Jerry S. Worthington, Jeanna L. Worthington, Janet Galloway, and Jill Leatherman, all of Van Wert, and Betty Thomas, Julia Connor, Margaret Steinbacher of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Caroline (Bunny) Clark of Fremont, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Norma Jean "Sally" Turner and brother-in-law, Carlos Turner. Friends and family may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 6th at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, 722 Washington Street, Van Wert, Ohio. Memorial Service will be held at 4:00 PM, Sunday, July 17th, 2011 at the Funeral Home where the family will be present. Military rites will be performed by combined units of the Van Wert American Legion and VFW Posts at the funeral home.
Preferred Memorials may be directed to: Visiting Nurses Association of Ohio (VNA) or Wounded Warrior Project or Van Wert County Humane Society or to the family.