GALVESTON — Charles Worthen Sr., known as an unassuming leader who championed his community and family, died Tuesday. He was 74.
The banker and philanthropist was also a heart transplant recipient who valued each day and loved the fellowship of his family.
“In his eyes, his family was his greatest accomplishment,” wrote Susan Worthen, recalling the husband she met when they lived at the same apartment complex at the University of Texas.
Relatives gather today for memorial services at Moody Memorial First United Methodist Church.
“He was someone who made an effort to make his community a better place,” wrote Karen Worthen Dixon, Charles “Charlie” A. Worthen Jr. and John Turner Worthen, his children.
“He helped others realize their dreams by helping them get started. It was amazing how many people in the community would tell us how much he had helped them or mentored them in their life.”
Among those is John Kelso, president of the Sealy and Smith Foundation, which underwrites projects at the University of Texas Medical Branch.
“He guided me in the beginning of my career, 25 years ago, and has always been there for support and advice,” Kelso wrote in e-mailed comments. “His wise leadership, character and vision have inspired me. I will miss him as a leader and good friend.”
Worthen was president emeritus of the Sealy and Smith Foundation, which he led from 1992-2005.
“During his tenure as president of the foundation, the assets grew enormously,” Kelso wrote. “Under his leadership the foundation surpassed a milestone in giving its 500-millionth dollar in grants, since its founding in 1922, to further the mission of support to the John Sealy Hospital.”
Worthen was born in Jayton and educated at the University of Texas at Austin and the Southwest Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University. He began his banking career at First National Bank in Dallas in 1961. Then in 1967, joined First Hutchings Sealy National Bank in Galveston, which later became Bank of America, where he retired.
He was founding chairman of the Galveston Economic Development Corp. and served as president of the Fifty Club of Galveston and the Rosenberg Library.
He also served as director of the Chamber of Commerce, and as a member of the Wharves Board of Trustees, the Houston-Galveston Area Council and the Galveston Corp.
Mike Doherty, executive director of the Sealy and Smith Foundation, worked with Worthen for almost 40 years during his banking career, and later with the foundation.
“I have learned tremendously from his leadership and had great admiration and respect for his integrity,” he wrote. “His impact at both the bank and foundation was huge.”
Worthen was a successful heart transplant recipient more than 19 years ago.
“He told people he appreciated the value of each day,” recalled Dr. Garland D. Anderson, dean of the medical branch’s School of Medicine. Anderson met Worthen 20 years ago.
“He was a powerful man, but had a very unassuming manner,” Anderson said. “He treated people kindly; he was a very charming man.”
A memorial service will be conducted at 1 p.m. today at Moody Memorial First United Methodist Church.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Ronald McDonald House of Galveston, the Rosenberg Library or the American Heart Association.
