Fred E. WORRELL

WORRELL, STRICKLAND, PENNOCK, BENSON, FREEDMAN, MANYOUT

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/4/2015 at 14:46:35

March 15, 1934 --- June 13, 2015

Fred E. Worrell was born at home in Wilson County, North Carolina on March 15, 1934, the son of Roy and Mary Strickland Worrell. His family and he moved to Petersburg, Virginia when he was 7 years old because his father gave up raising tobacco for religious reasons and took a job at an eyeglass factory. Fred enlisted in the Air Force in January of 1954 and was honorably discharged in November of 1957. While in the Air Force, his job was photography. After leaving the Air Force, Fred moved to Atlanta, Georgia. In 1960, Fred moved to Des Moines, Iowa and in 1961 started classes at Drake University and earned his Bachelor’s in Education. His first teaching position was in Colfax, Iowa. He was also the elementary principal in Tiffin, Iowa and in Alexander, Iowa. He continued at Drake University and received his Master’s Degree in 1970. He began teaching in the Denison Community School District in 1970. He began at the Deloit School, moved to the Central Elementary School in Denison, then to the Kiron Elementary School. In 1979 he moved to the Denison Elementary School on 20th Street from which he retired in 2001. Fred also worked part time as a locksmith.

On June 20, 1982, Fred was united in marriage with Debra Pennock at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Their union was blessed with five children. Fred was a devoted husband and father and his life long passion was education in which he enjoyed a 38 year career. He was a devoted Christian and most recently attended the United Presbyterian Church in Denison, was a TAP volunteer for many years and a member of the Optimist Club and the Association of Retired School Personnel.

In 2010, Fred was diagnosed with cancer. His treatment included surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and medication. In May of 2015 he became sick with pneumonia and died at Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska June 13, 2015. At the time of his death he had been blessed with 81 years, 2 months and 28 days.
Fred is survived by his wife, Debra Worrell of Denison; eight children: T. Don Worrell of Des Moines, Iowa; Teresa (Tim) Benson of Prior Lake, Minnesota; Rachel (Jerry) Freedman of Robinson, Texas; Daniel Worrell of Coralville, Iowa; Michael Worrell of Clarinda, Iowa; Paul Worrell of Coralville, Iowa; Julie (Abraham) Manyout of Omaha, Nebraska; and Ruth Worrell at home in Denison, Iowa; one grandson, Jack Freedman of Robinson, Texas; other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Wilbur.

Funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, June 20, 2015 at the United Presbyterian Church in Denison, Iowa with Rev. Dennis Bailey officiating. Congregational hymns sung were “How Great Thou Art”, “Amazing Grace”, and “Blessings” with Ann Voggesser serving as organist. Honorary Pallbearer was Jack Freedman and Pallbearers were T. Don Worrell, Daniel Worrell, Michael Worrell, Paul Worrell, Abraham Manyout, and Tim Benson. Burial, with military honors by American Legion Post 8, Denison, Iowa, and Taps played by Father Paul Kelly, was at Kiron Cemetery, Kiron, Iowa. Following the interment, the family invited everyone to return to the church for fellowship and refreshments provided by the United Presbyterian Women. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. There was no visitation.

http://www.meaningfulfunerals.net/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=3192378&fh_id=14503

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[elementary principal in Alexander, Iowa]