Samuel Levi Worthington

It is with deep sorrow the Worthington family announces the passing of Sam Worthington on December 11, 2022 from heart failure. Memorial services were performed at New Wine Church in Fullerton, California on January 28, 2023.

On September 26, 1951, Samuel Levi Worthington was born to the parents of Noel Bruce Worthington and Stella Blade (Tate) Worthington in New Castle, Indiana. Sam, as he was often called, was the fourth of  five children; Londa Jean, Michael Bruce, Lynn Alan and Debra Nell.

Sam spent the first 19 years of his life in New Castle and attended Walter P. Chrysler High School, class of 1970 with his youngest sister Debbie. Sam was a champion wrestler. His mother could often be heard cheering loudly on the sidelines for her son. Sam spent much of his youth hanging out with his older brothers Lynn and Mike and other “Whittier Lane” youth. Sam learned early to work hard and had a newspaper route as well as other jobs around the neighborhood.

Sam pursued a higher level of education and attended Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. Following in his older brother Lynn’s footsteps, he relocated to Long Beach, California soon thereafter starting a career as a master machinist.

He purchased his home in Long Beach and enjoyed many outdoor activities in Southern California. He was an active member of the Long Beach Ski Club. Living ten minutes from the ocean, he frequently windsurfed, went bike riding and golfed at the local golf courses.

Sam was very involved with his nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews spending lots of time attending their sports or activities. A fond memory of Sam’s escorting his niece, Michele down-the-aisle at her wedding.

Later in Sam’s life, he grew into his calling of being a dog “whisperer.” Sam grew a successful business of walking and boarding dogs. Sam became a trusted member of many families and their pet’s lives.

Sam was known to be very generous, kind, and befriended many on his daily excursions to the dog park. Although Sam held very strong political opinions, it never kept him from being a friend to those he held strong discussions with.

Sam was preceded in death by his parents, Noel and Stella Worthington and brother, Lynn Worthington. Sam Worthington leaves to cherish his memory, his eldest sister Londa Worthington-Brooker of La Habra, California, youngest sister Debra Waechter (husband Jim) of Portland, Indiana, older brother Mike Worthington (wife Cindy) of Dayton, Ohio and sister-in-law Maurine Worthington of Cerritos, California.

Many nieces and nephews will miss Sam dearly: Michele Howlin (husband Bennie) of Whittier, California, Erika Riggio (husband Paul) of Cerritos, California, Katie West (husband Jason) of Eaton, Ohio, Heather Worthington of Vancouver, Washington and Jonathan Worthington (wife Stephanie) of Spring Hill, Tennessee.