Kenneth “Kenny” Worley

Worley, Kenneth "Kenny", of St. Peters, Missouri, died on Saturday, May 29, 2010 at the age of 79. Dear husband of Rosina Anna Worley NEE:Rosina Anna Bahr, Dear Son the late Claude Nathan Worley and the late Thelma Worley, Dear father of Richard Michael (Joy) Worley, Mark Charles (Vicki) Worley; Loving grandfather of Wendy (Sean) Nickrent, Jodi, David, Nickolas Worley; cherished great-grandfather of Amelia Nickrent; dear brother of, James (Vera)Worley and Gene (Delores) Worley. He is preceded in death by Stepmother-Marie Worley, brothers, Elmer, Wayne and Leonard Worley, sisters, Anna Mae (Omer) Loness, Patsy Baker and Goldie Roth, and granddaughter Bethany Worley. Kenny was a member of VFW 2210- St. Genevieve. Ken Worley served in the United States Army during the Korean War, as a member of the 2nd Infantry Division. That Division’s motto was: “Second To None.” Dad applied that as his motto of life as well. Anyone who knew him, knows he wasn’t always politically correct, wasn’t the most polished or refined at times, and wasn’t a book smart sort of a guy on a lot of topics, but his wealth of commonsense, mechanical under-standing, willingness to take on any new challenge, his love for his wife, just a few days short of fifty-four years, his love for his two sons, four grandchildren, and his great granddaughter --- definitely defines him as, “Second To None.” He was a mans-kind-of man, his hands reflected his lifetime of hard work; callused hands, and yet, a gentle loving heart. Dad really didn’t talk much about his time in the Army, until the latter years of his life, and when he did it was always about his happy experiences of driving tanks in the 2nd Infantry’s, Reconnaissance Company. His job was dangerous, retrieving wounded solders from the frontlines of war, back to less hostile areas so the wounded could receive medical care. I never once heard him say a word about the ugliness he witness there, only stories about the capabilities of the tanks and experiences he shared with his crewmen. Most of his time spent in Korea was in an area referred to as, “Old Baldy.” After Dad was released from the Army, he met Rosina Bahr, who was a cook working at a diner called Phillips Inn, in Ste Genevieve, Missouri. Dad’s eye caught a glimpse of that cook as she walked out of the kitchen which prompted him to ask someone, “what’s that pretty girl’s name?” The rest is history. They were married on June 9th 1956. Dad was a vivid storyteller! I won’t go so far as to say he’d out and out lie to make a good story even better, but he certainly would stretch the truthful facts as far as humanly possible to spice one up! He loved to fish, camp and sit and watch birds, especially humming birds and robins. Although, he would never turn his head on a blue jay or a cardinal if one was nearby for his enjoyment. He loved making people laugh, and used zany facial expression’s to make that happen. Dad didn’t like wearing neckties and his false teeth, so don’t be surprised to see them missing as we pay him our fond farewells. Dad was a simple man, with simple man goals and expectations. That comment is shared with as much pride and admiration --- one can express. He didn’t need the biggest, the best, newest and flashiest to discover happiness. His measure of pure happiness came in simple things, time with his family, drinking a warm cup of coffee as he watched a sunrise or sunset, and he always enjoyed a good nap. On May 29th 2010, Ken Worley, devoted husband, loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather, peered out a window from his hospital bed --- witnessed his final sunrise with coffee in hand, and drifted off into a peaceful nap. He departed this world at peace with himself, into the loving arms of God The Almighty. Free of any bitter, anger, discontent, envy or hard feelings, excited to be reunited with loved ones and friends who preceded him in death --- with a hunger in his heart to greet us when our time too, is at hand. Kenneth Michael Worley August 9th 1930-May 29th 2010 “Second To None” Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association or Masses to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.