James Edgar Worthing

Graduated from Corona High School, in California June 16, 1951.

Joined the US Navy June 19, 1951 Attended Fire Control School in San Diego graduating as Honor Man and volunteered for submarine duty. After Submarine School in New London Conn. was assigned to the USS Runner SS 476 and qualified in submarines in Havana harbor in Cuba in Jan. 1953. He attained the rating of Fire Control Technician First Class and was discharged from the US Navy in Orange, Texas in June of 1955.

After leaving the US Navy he was employed as an electronic technician by General Dynamics Corp. in Ponoma, California to test and trouble shoot Terrier guided missiles for the US Navy. He attended Oregon State College for one semester and left to pursue the love of his life, Dorothy DuBois in Houston, Texas. He joined the IBM Corp. as a Systems Customer Engineer Jan. 16 1956 and he and Dorothy were married on Feb. 3 1956.

He embraced the IBM beliefs of Excellence, Customer Service and Respect for the Individual and found his life's work of computer service. His service success was recognized early in IBM and he became a manager in 1957 and upon his promotion to Field Engineering Branch Manager in Houston in September 1965 he became the youngest large office Branch Manager at that time. He was most proud of his contribution to the NASA Gemini and Apollo missions being responsible for the IBM systems in Mission Control from the start of the Houston Manned Spacecraft Center in 1963 until after the Apollo 13 mission was completed. He continued as Area staff manager and Branch Manager of many different division offices in Houston and retired from IBM on Jan. 1, 1992.

His active career continued as a business process and quality consultant to small businesses until 2001.

He was involved in employment and training for needy individuals for over 20 years. He began this involvement with SER Jobs for Progress and was the first non-Hispanic to serve as President of the Board of Directors. He was on the board of Houston Works for seven years retiring in 1994.

He was active in his Church, Bethany and Our Savior Lutheran and served in many capacities for over 30 years including stewardship, education, treasurer, vice president and president.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Dorothy Worthing; son, Roger Worthing and wife Clarissa; granddaughters, Caitlin and Brianna Worthing; brothers, Jerry, Jack, and Mike Worthing.

Preceding him in death are his parents, Clarence and Gladys Worthing; daughter, Jamie Wilson; sister, Nancy; brothers, Bill, Dick, and Tom Worthing.

Visitation and service will be on Monday, December 13, 2021 at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 5000 W. Tidwell Houston, TX 77092. Visitation will begin at 10:00am and the service will follow at 11:00 am. Interment will be held at Brookside Memorial Park at 2:00pm.

In lieu of Flowers, Please make all donations to Our Savior Lutheran Church.

Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added onto you. Matt 6:33