George Robert Worth Sr.
July 11, 1942 – September 22, 2015
George Robert Worth Sr. died of cancer September 22, 2015 at Harrison Hospital in Bremerton, Washington. The youngest child of James and Emma (Bradley) Worth born July 11, 1942 in Seattle, he lived in West Seattle before moving to Bremerton as a boy. George attended West Bremerton High School and served in the US Army prior to marrying Charlene Louise Endsley in 1961. To this marriage were born his first 4 children.
Following a divorce, he married Janice Elaine Douglas Grice to whom his youngest child, George Jr. was born. Sadly, this marriage too ended in divorce. By God’s grace, the direction of George’s life transformed. In 1992 George married Laura Ann Jones Hoffman.
George worked as a janitor at the old YMCA in downtown Bremerton then at SubBase Bangor before joining the Meals on Wheels staff through Kitsap Community Resources. He is perhaps most widely known as the enthusiastic Salvation Army bell-ringer who for the past 15 years greeted customers outside the East Bremerton Fred Meyers. George personified Christmas cheer from the top of his Santa hat to the bottom of his jingle bell covered boots. Keeping time with his tambourine and the classic bell, his sparkling eyes and signature smile would beam from behind his own snow white beard.
Preceding George in death were both parents, his brother James William Worth in 1994, and oldest son Jerry Robert Worth in 1989; Jerry’s mother died in 2010. George is survived by his wife of 23 years Laura Worth, his previous wife Janice Worth, sisters Evelyn (Billy) Ungren and Susie (Rick) Bagley all of Bremerton, brothers Arthur Lee Worth, of San Antonio, Texas, and John Worth of Bremerton, daughter Georgianna (Claude) Akers of Manchester, sons James Russell (Liliana) Helland, of Palermo, Italy, Charles Alvin Worth, of Myrtle Beach, SC, and George Robert Worth Jr., of Wickliffe, Ohio. Also considered George’s children are Ronald Ray Grice, Deborah Jean Grice White, Leon Edward Elsberry Grice, Theresa Marie Grice Uyeno, all of Bremerton. George is survived by many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends. His memorial service was held at Sonshine Baptist Fellowship. He is laid to rest at Miller Woodlawn Memorial Park. Memorial donations can be made in George’s name and placed in a Salvation Army bell ringer’s red kettle throughout our community.
