John R. Worrell

John Richard Worrell peacefully passed on Wednesday, August 17, accompanied by members of his family, and with recitation of the Lord's Prayer. His passing punctuated a life filled with family, love, cooking, service, and travel. He was known to many as Dicky, Dad, John, Uncle Dick, Mr. John and Chief.

John Richard Worrell was born March 12, 1951, in Manchester, NH to John Knox Worrell and Enid Naomi Worrell (nee Pepin). He is survived by his mother, Enid; his wife of nearly 52 years, Vicky Rae Worrell (nee Reilly); his daughter, Kimberly Rae Worrell; and his son, Andrew Richard Worrell. He is also survived by his three brothers David, William, and Jeffrey and their extended families – of which he would fondly recall funny events of their childhood in New Hampshire and their move to Melbourne, Florida. He loved his family and was proud of his nearly 29 years of service in the United States Air Force – having attained a distinguished and meritorious service record and the senior rank of Chief Master Sergeant. AMMO!

John's "extended family" came from those many years of service in the military, and the friends and associations he, Vicky, Kimberly, and Andy made as a family along the way…many of which continue today. Service duty stations and travel included many states within the US, Vietnam, Guam, Korea, Okinawa, England, France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Belgium, Netherlands, Amsterdam, Greece, Egypt, and China. It was during these trips where he and Vicky would cultivate their love for cooking and try to recreate the exact taste and presentation of the dishes they experienced. Many may recall that while traveling with his family and friends in Europe, he would wake early and run the streets of the current location, to conduct reconnaissance and map the best touring routes! John was an avid runner and was proud to have maintained 6 to 8 mile-a-day runs for nearly 20 years. It would be remiss not to mention that he was almost unbeatable in ping pong, pool, Pictionary, and Yahtzee.

Many will remember that after retirement he and Vicky continued their love of cooking and travel. A visit to their home would greet you with a home filled with artifacts of their life and travels, and the complex aroma of Korean, Italian, Greek, or country cooking from the kitchen. Perhaps a muffuletta would be curing in the press or a homemade soup would be simmering on the stove; most usually the sweet smell of Pistachio (dad's favorite), Key-Lime, Seven-Layer, or Creamsicle cookies; occasionally a variety of test-recipes like Montezuma's fudge (watch out!), protein bars, or sea salt chocolate chips; secret Worrell family Swedish cookies during the holidays; fresh, homemade bread of varying origin or ingredients; and if you were really, really lucky – fresh Spring rolls – Dad's most favorite.

Many have shared their personal stories and remembrances of Dicky, Dad, John, Uncle Dick, Mr. John and Chief. The above is a much-abbreviated version of ours – missed were early years at Shaggs's Surf Shop and Winn-Dixie, AMMO beach and river trips, night-fishing on the Pensacola bay bridge, Thanksgiving's at Gram's, Brothers' reunions in Tallahassee and Orlando, the Ft. Walton Beach Christian Science Church, Christmases at the Holidome, Halloween (dad's favorite), Hat Night, and many more. Our family warmly welcomes you to share your remembrance, so that we may all continue to celebrate his life and cherish our love for him.

To share your memories of John or to send a special message to his family, please visit the guestbook below.