My Dad,George Hunter Worthington
1894--1967
Even though I was not privileged to spend a lot of years with my Dad, I always think of him on Father's Day and like to honor him. The above picture was taken when he was in his early 20's so you can see he was a very handsome man. I have special memories of him during the years he was a constant in my life. I remember how I looked forward to his coming home each night and many nights he would bring a candy bar or a few pieces of candy he knew we liked. He was a hard worker and a very strong man. He built his own saw mill and sawed trees into lumber to sell. He only finished the 3rd grade in school but he had a sharp mind and was master of many things. I always felt he could do ANYTHING!!!!
It was a sad day when he walked out of my life as well as my Mother's life and my Sister's. My only explanation is that he and my Mother fell out of love. His leaving left an empty place in my heart that no one else could fill. I prayed many, many years that he would come back and live with us again but apparently that was not to be. He spent the last 27 years of his life in California and is buried in Modesto. Because of the distance between Oklahoma and California and no extra money for long road trips in those days, I did not see him for 11 years. In 1958 my Sister and her family and my family drove to California to spend some time with him. We saw him a few more times before he passed away in 1967. When he got sick and felt he would not recover, he called Marie and me and said he would like to see us one more time. We drove out and spent a week with him. A few weeks later he passed away. Marie and I flew out for his funeral.
I regret the years when an occasional letter was our only contact. I loved him because he was my Dad and I felt he loved me. I have never felt that I had anything to do with his leaving so I have no guilt, only loneliness and regrets that I could not have been a more important part of his life. He and his wife raised two of her relatives---a niece and a nephew. He sent pictures of the niece's wedding when he walked her down the aisle. Yes, I feel jealous that he was not available to do the same for me when I was married.
I am thankful for the memories that shall forever be tucked away in the corner of my heart and for the years I did get to spend with my Dad.
Dortha
It was a sad day when he walked out of my life as well as my Mother's life and my Sister's. My only explanation is that he and my Mother fell out of love. His leaving left an empty place in my heart that no one else could fill. I prayed many, many years that he would come back and live with us again but apparently that was not to be. He spent the last 27 years of his life in California and is buried in Modesto. Because of the distance between Oklahoma and California and no extra money for long road trips in those days, I did not see him for 11 years. In 1958 my Sister and her family and my family drove to California to spend some time with him. We saw him a few more times before he passed away in 1967. When he got sick and felt he would not recover, he called Marie and me and said he would like to see us one more time. We drove out and spent a week with him. A few weeks later he passed away. Marie and I flew out for his funeral.
I regret the years when an occasional letter was our only contact. I loved him because he was my Dad and I felt he loved me. I have never felt that I had anything to do with his leaving so I have no guilt, only loneliness and regrets that I could not have been a more important part of his life. He and his wife raised two of her relatives---a niece and a nephew. He sent pictures of the niece's wedding when he walked her down the aisle. Yes, I feel jealous that he was not available to do the same for me when I was married.
I am thankful for the memories that shall forever be tucked away in the corner of my heart and for the years I did get to spend with my Dad.
Dortha
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