Remembering the late jerry worthy
Hangar 25 Air-museum has lost a friend… Jerry Worthy loved his family beyond everything, but also, he had other loves. He loved his community and worked very hard to see that good things became the end result. In the middle 90’s, there was a small group of people who had formed a committee to see if preserving a WWII relic would be feasible. From the day Jerry found out that this was going on, he was hooked. He was at every event, meeting, or social gathering that involved the project. He had a personal passion to see that one of the last standing WWII hangars was restored and transformed into a museum for memorabilia of that era - 1941. Much work was completed by this group to obtain funding for such a project. Many hours of volunteering by several individuals along with scheduled events was necessary to make this dream turn into a reality. One event in particular was an Air Fair with every conceivable activity for the public and Jerry brought a challenge to the committee. “If this event makes $1200.00, after all expenses, I will kiss a pig”. Where did this came from? Only from a man who had vision and knew how to quicken the minds of people – and that was Jerry Worthy. Well the event happened, and Jerry won or lost, depending on how you look at it. Either way, the plan for kissing the pig was in the works.
A local farmer offered his show pig, the media and city officials notified, a date was set, the day came.
It was a bright sunny day with a hog trailer and fenced area ready for the appearance of both Miss Piggy and Mr. Worthy. News media were all ready for the event with the newspaper, radio & TV all standing by. The audience was comfortably seated and all watching for the appearance. Miss Piggy emerged from the trailer awaiting her visitor. Suddenly appearing from the back of the trailer was a gentleman, dressed in a 3 piece suit carrying a beautifully bowed basket filled with carrots, cabbage leaves and other assorted foods desired by a pig. Yes, it was in fact Jerry Worthy. Jerry addressed the crowd and gracefully entered the pen of Miss Piggy. After visiting a moment, he pulled a bottle out of his coat pocket and carefully splashed a bit of the best perfume that Wal-mart makes, on the top of Miss Piggy. They “danced” around each other for a moment, and then it happened. THE KISS. On top of the head of course.
This is a just one story of how Jerry was willing to become involved, and with such flare for the Museum he loved. There are many more of stories of such actions, and he was there for all of them and loved it.
Another event was a formal ball for the Hangar 25 Air Museum. It was batted around as to what it should be called agreed upon that we cannot just keep calling it “The Ball” so it became known as “The Pig Ball”. A few years later, Jerry & other military members residing on the Hangar 25 Board thought maybe something a little more appropriate for a military formal event. The name, “Silver Wings Ball” was adopted and stands today. Jerry’s memory is in all of this and he was present in nearly every one of the Balls for the past 22 years.
Jerry was very instrumental in all the workings of the Museum and if he was not there every week, he would call to check in and visit with the staff. He always had an idea to share & most worked out.
Jerry is now and will forever be missed by all those who knew him.
Thank you, Louise Ann, Ann, Roy, Michelle, and Jeb, for letting us borrow him for a short while. His smile and leadership will be missed and especially for the Hangar 25 Air Museum
Thank You Jerry for being you!
Gloria Byrd Mcdonald Big Spring