Charles A. Worley M.D.

Charles A. Worley, a rural Missouri family doctor of 53 years, died May 27, 2009, in Gladstone, Mo. He was 85. Worley was born July 18, 1923, to Charles Henry and Genevieve Bear Worley in Marshall, Mo. He attended Sweet Springs public schools from 1930-41 before going to college at the University of Missouri in Columbia from 1941- 43. Service to country interrupted college. While in the U.S. Army during World War II from 1944-46, Worley was assigned to the island of Luzon in Manila Bay. There, the 174th Field Station Hospital served men who survived the Bataan Death March in the old Bilibid Prison and Japanese prisoners in the new Bilibid Prison outside the Manila suburb of Muntinlupa City. Worley returned home in 1946 determined to become a doctor. He married Maxine Jeanette Frerking on September 30, 1946. He completed a bachelor of science in medicine (B.S. Med.) at the University of Missouri in 1950 and continued training at Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, from which he received his medical degree (M.D.) in 1952. Expecting their first child, the couple returned to Missouri, where Worley completed postgraduate work at Kansas City General Hospital No. 1 from 1952-53. The Missouri State Medical Board to Practice Medicine and Surgery licensed him in 1952. He and Dr. Paul Roberts began a family medical practice in 1953 in Sweet Springs, Mo., above Whitsitt's Drug Store in Sweet Springs. Following vaccinations, youngsters got a "prescription" for a free ice cream cone at the drug store soda fountain. The medical partnership continued until 1974. Dr. Worley made house calls and served for many years as chief of staff at Sweet Springs Community Hospital, which he helped established in 1960. He delivered an estimated 1,500 babies. In 1966, the practice moved into a new facility at 204 Ruby St. in Sweet Springs. In 1989, he and Maxine moved to the Lake of the Ozarks, where he practiced at Gunn Clinic from 1989-92. Dr. Worley helped found Westlake Medical Center in Laurie, Mo., in October 1992. His greatest joy was caring for his patients in Sweet Springs and at the Lake of the Ozarks. He retired in July 2006, one week before his 83rd birthday. Among Worley's professional affiliations and accomplishments are: -member of the University of Missouri Medical Alumni Association, including Board of Governors member from 1969- 76. -preceptor for the University of Missouri in Community Health and Medical Practice (General Practice) beginning in 1955. -member of the Missouri Academy of Family Physicians, 1953 to present. Worley served as president of the organization in 1976. -certified in 1971 and re-certified in 1978 and 1983 by the American Board of Family Practice. -member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, 1966 to present. For AAFP, he served as vice president from 1985-86 and as treasurer from 1987-90, as well as on numerous task forces and committees. -member of the Missouri State Medical Association, 1953 to present. -member of the American Medical Association, 1953 to present. -member of the Pettis County Medical Society, beginning in 1954. Outside of medicine, Worley was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and past chairman of the congregation, and past president of the Lions Club and Sweet Springs Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Elks Lodge in Laurie, Mo., and the University Club in Kansas City, Mo. He also was a member of the board of directors of Chemical Bank (now First Community Bank). Other interests included automobiles, jazz music, hunting, boating and fishing. A life member of the Mizzou Alumni Association and lifelong Missouri Tiger fan, Dr. Worley was a football season ticket holder for 34 years and Tiger Scholarship Fund supporter for 25 years. Before home games, he and wife Maxine tailgated with family and friends in Lot L north of Faurot Field. The group enjoyed detailing the Tigers' recent successes or failures over food and drink. Survivors include his wife, Maxine, of the home in Gladstone, Mo. The marriage was blessed with three children: Charles Robert "Bob" and spouse Karen Sue Flandermeyer Worley of Columbia, Virginia Ann Poehlman of Columbia, and Nancy Jane and spouse Randall Dean Thompson of Gladstone, Mo. The six Worley grandchildren are: Charles Christopher "Chris" and John Robert Worley; Nell Michelle and Elizabeth Jeanette "Betsy" Poehlman; and Charles Loren "Chas" and Randall Jacob "Jake" Thompson. Arrangements are under the direction of Campbell Lewis Funeral Home. Visitation will be held from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, May 31, at the funeral home, 204 Ruby St. in Sweet Springs. A memorial service will be conducted at 1:30 p.m. Monday, June 1, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sweet Springs. Family and friends are invited to food and fellowship at the church following burial with full military honors in Fairview Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sweet Springs or the University of Missouri School of Medicine.