Obituary of Donald M. Worten

Memorial services for Donald M. Worten will be held at 11:00am, Tuesday, November 21, 2017 in the Green Lawn Church of Christ auditorium with Dale Mannon officiating. 

Don was born July 28, 1927 in Detroit, Michigan to J. W. and Grace (Hemingway) Worten.  He attended Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas where he met Virginia Terry.  They were married on June 9, 1948 in Granite, Oklahoma.  Don worked at a newspaper, paper mill and other various jobs, doing what he had to do to support his family.  As a family, they lived in several places, including:  Detroit, Michigan; Paducah, Kentucky; Omaha, Nebraska; Los Angeles, California; and Lubbock, Texas.  He worked as a business manager for three Christian universities:  York College in York, Nebraska; Pepperdine University in Los Angeles, California; and Lubbock Christian College.  He also worked for 15 years at the Children’s Home of Lubbock before retiring in 1992.  After retiring, he served as a Test Administrator for Federal Court until the age of 80.

Don was a member of the Green Lawn Church of Christ where he was a song leader and served as a deacon in the missions, worship and bus ministries.  He was also a member of the Kiwanis Club since 1957, and a veteran who served our country well.

Don died Saturday, November 11, 2017 in Lubbock at the age of 90.  He will be remembered as a loving father, brother in Christ and encourager to all.

Don was preceded in death by his son, Mark Worten in 2003, his grandson, Calvin Durain Griffin, Jr. in 2004, his brother, Wally Worten, and his sister, Jo Gunter.

He is survived by his wife of almost 70 years, Virginia Worten of Lubbock; 2 daughters, Fran Flores and husband, Ted, of Justin, TX, and Terry Flewellyn and husband, D.G. of Lubbock; daughter-in-law Kelly Worten of Portales, New Mexico; 2 grandsons, Aaron Worten and Gabe Flores and his wife, Callie; 2 granddaughters Dulce Wethington and her husband, Charles, and Briana Nail and her husband, Michael; 3 great-granddaughters, a sister Susan Smith of Walled Lake, Michigan, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family suggests memorial donations be sent to The Children's Home of Lubbock, PO Box 2824, Lubbock, TX 79408, or Green Lawn Church of Christ, c/o Missions, 5701 19th Street, Lubbock, TX 79407. Cremation and services are under the direction of Abell Funeral Home and Flower Shop of Abernathy.