Samuel J. Worden

Samuel J. Worden Bay City, Michigan 1926-2013 By; Judy A. Bagley/Daughter. This is an unusual obituary written about the life of a truly remarkable man. I began this narrative in January and finished it today, May 29, which would have been dad's 87th birthday. For all who knew him, you already know his story. For those who didn't, the following tribute will provide a glimpse of the man we called husband, dad, "poppy", Samuel, grandpa, Papa Sam and Uncle Sam. Dad met his God and reunited with his family on May 25, 2013. He waited for all of us to fall asleep before he took his journey home. Dad died as he lived, in peace and dignity. Born to Samuel J. and Louise (Lamkin) Worden, dad was one of 13 children. He was the youngest of the boys. Dad is survived by one sister, Shirley Sliwinski and one brother, Warren Worden. On August 4, 1951, dad married the love of his life, Frances D. (Rosinski) Worden. He used to tell us the story of how he gave mom her engagement ring in front of Charlie's Shoe Store, now the parking lot of Independent Bank. Together they enjoyed 61 years of marriage. Dad retired in 1988 after 37 years in the food service industry. During his employment, he was offered, and accepted a management position within the company. Shortly after, he realized that sitting behind a desk was not his calling and asked to take back his former position as a truck driver. He loved his customers, and they him. He was employed by Central Grocery in Flint until the company closed, forcing his retirement at age 57. Dad liked to take mini-vacations and enjoyed auctions, horse races and gambling on the penny machines. If he felt lucky, he might bump his wager to 2 cents! He would always tell us that he was taking mom so that she could bring home some money (which she frequently did). Dad said that he went simply to make a donation! There was one trip dad took that was his and his alone! Grocery shopping. He would read every label and comparison shop every price. A trip to the store would last 3 to 4 hours. In addition to my mom, dad is survived by two daughters, Barb A. Van Paris and me. In 2009 God presented me with the opportunity to become dad's primary caregiver and dad gave me that honor and privilege. The doctor visits and quiet hours spent alone with him gave me the insight into this man whom I so loved as my dad. Dad loved his sons-in-law, Richard A. Bagley and Benjamin (Benji) A. Van Paris like his own children, and they in turn, treated him as their "dad". For a couple years, weekly car rides became outings that dad looked forward to. It didn't matter if it was one hour or four hours, he would always ask Rick, "is that all?" "Where are we going tomorrow?" He would reminisce about the "good old days" and "the way things used to be". He always questioned Rick about how he seemed to know all the backroads and alternate routes that he would take. Dad especially liked it when we decided to host one of his birthday parties at the hunting property in Au Gres. He imparted his baking and cooking expertise to Ben who will now become his culinary protégé. No one - and we believe no one, could bake beans or make a lemon pie like dad. To him, if it wasn't made from scratch, it wasn't worth eating! Dad loved and served his country in the Pacific during WWII. He was proud to call himself a Navy Seaman. One of his last car rides included a trip to see the temporary home of the USS Edson and hoped to see it once it was docked at its permanent home. One of his proudest moments came later in life when his great-granddaughter, Mackenzie Thornton invited Papa Sam to come to Linwood School with her. They were having a Memorial Day tribute to all military, past and present. I remember how proud he looked when the crowd sang Anchor's Away. Dad had a special place in his heart for the Salvation Army who helped him out in a time of need. He never forgot them, but being the private man he was, donated to them anonymously. Love of family and numerous get-together for every birthday, holidays and any other "event" we could think of was one of dad's greatest qualities. Dad and mom were always first to arrive - baked beans in hand! While everyone was talking, laughing or clowning around, dad was mostly quiet. He listened intently to every word. Even if he disagreed with something, he would never complain, chastise or correct anyone. He taught us by his example and lived life simply, honestly and with integrity. He believed in the golden rule, always willing to help anyone in need. He taught us to be strong. At a point in my life when I thought things couldn't get any worse, dad would remind me every day to "stay tough" and "you have to fight". He encouraged us to stand up for what we believe is right - provided we had the facts to back our claim. Brad Bagley, Amy Williams and Paul and Stacy Thornton, his grandchildren were his pride and joy. During the final months when life got difficult, dad still insisted on attending all the family functions and always asked the guys about the Tigers, the Red Wings, and talked about hunting and fishing. Dad loved big-band music. Tommy Dorsey and Glenn Miller were just a couple of his favorites. When it came to a favorite pastime outside of his family, it was reading. Dad would read anything and everything with words on it, so he could keep his mind sharp. He played the harmonica and sang silly songs with the two of us girls perched on his knee every Saturday morning. Now those songs will be passed down to his great-grandchildren, Mackenzie, Brendan and Christian Thornton, Drew Bagley and Hala Williams. A lover and writer of poetry, one of dad's best works was "Ode to the Commode", a poem announcing the installation of a "newer" convenience with comfort features that his son-in-law, Rick installed. Learning to use his Samsung smart phone, an early birthday gift from Barb and Ben was dad's latest and greatest accomplishment. We knew he was researching something when we heard him call out "Google" because he couldn't navigate the keys well enough to type. Just a few days short of his 87th birthday, dad built a loving and lasting legacy. His most poignant words to me were "never forget where you came from" or in other words, "don't get to big for your britches." Our family owes a debt of gratitude to the Visiting Physicians Associations and to Grace Hospice, especially Dr. Jamie Yambao and Chaplain Fred Hart. There are no words to express our love to Elizabeth Maze who became dad's very own Florence Nighingale. Her kind and compassionate heart helped dad and us deal with his final struggle. We couldn't have done it without her. God bless you sister Ginny of St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church. Your Father's Day prayer for dad will be remembered forever. Thank you to our cousins Kyle Beyette and Kim Rosinski for stopping by even though you're dealing with your own heartache. To our cousin Eddie Rosinski, what can we say except, Thank You for You. Little did you know that at 3:00 a.m. not only would you keep the driveway snow free for dad during the winter, you would also encourage mom back into the house as she insisted on helping. Your light-heart and humor helped to lighten the last days. To Jennifer Bagley, Wayne and Patsy Courier, longtime friends Tom and Judy Ayotte, Fred and Carol Thornton, and Bill and Jean Williams, may God bless you and hold you in the palm of his hand all the days of your life. We extend gratitude to James Knight, PA for his early detection of heart disease and for delivering the flu and pneumonia shot out to the car because dad wouldn't / couldn't come in. Thank you to Mickey Bourne for your recitation of the 23rd. Psalm with the cellphone laying by dad's ear just a few hours before his final goodbye. Finally to you Brad; my heart is so full of pride that you never left grandpa's side and did what I couldn't do to make sure grandpa felt he felt no pain during his last 24 hours. As we approach Father's Day, it is my hope and prayer that anyone reading this who hasn't had (or taken) the opportunity to tell your dad how much he means to you, do it now. God gave me 3.5 years to prepare. You may only have a minute. Don't waste it. At dad's request cremation has taken place and there will be no viewing or services at the Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the Salvation Army or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.