Ladson Worley

Ladson Roscoe Worley (1928-2008) was born in a little community close to Muleshoe, Texas on December 24, 1928 to W.G. and Lottie Worley. He was the fourth of six children. He grew up in eastern New Mexico in the small community of Floyd. During his high school years he drove a bus for the district and after graduation attended Wayland College in Plainview, Texas. This is where he met Billie Galloway and they eventually married and then transferred to Howard Payne College in Brownwood, Texas. The first couple of years of marriage they really struggled financially, but God saw them through the difficult times. He was a music minister and they served in several churches throughout Texas and New Mexico. He got a masters degree from the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas and another from Eastrn New Mexico University in Portales, New Mexico. After serving many years as a full time music and education minister he found himself teaching in the public schools in Bovina, Texas. Later he would teach and retire in the Killeen ISD in central Texas. That is the professional side of this great man, but he was very multifaceted. I do not believe that there was anything he could not do. He was a clock builder and he learned to adjust my mother's spine from the chiropracter since they lived 80 miles away and she couldn't always get there for a treatment. He was an avid gardener, auto mechanic, carpenter and general fix it man. A product of the great depression he grew up learning how to make things work without the actual parts you need to repair it. He was not about making things pretty, but they would work and get the job done. I was always amazed that he never had a birthday cake until he met my mother, but she saw to it that he had one every year in spite of the fact that his birthday was so close to Christmas. We always gathered on Christmas eve and ate dinner then had a birthday cake with candles and he opened his birthday presents. Then we would move into the living room and he would read the Christmas story from the Bible and then we would all exchange gifts. We never had gifts on Christmas morning. Looking back he really gave up his birthday so that we could all enjoy the gifts and spend time with each other. He was a great man and I sorely miss him, but most of all I miss him on Christmas Eve. It is a comfort to me to know that somewhere in heaven my mother is celebrating with him today. He really missed her when she passed away. I am greatful that they have been reunuited.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Daddy and Grandma Bob (my mother's step grandmother) in June 2004

Daddy checking out Steve's car in June 2004

December 24 is a day full of lots of activities, but it also marks the birth of Ladson Worley, Daryl's Dad. In looking for a picture to put up today I found a picture taken pre brain tumor of Daddy checking out Steve's new vehicle. This is particularly special since we have just suffered the loss of our Honda, knowing that if he was around he could of helped us fix it and keep driving it rather than just hand it over to the insurance company.