Ronald Joseph Worthington

1941 - 2024

Ronald Joseph Worthington, 83, of Crystal River went to be with Jesus on March 27, 2024, after a lengthy battle with dementia. He was at home surrounded by his loving wife and family with support from Vitas Hospice.

Ron was born in Miami, Florida on January 21, 1941, to the late Joseph and Freda Worthington. He attended Miami High School and remained lifelong friends with his classmates. His high school football career led to a football scholarship at The University of Florida and later at Carson Newman in Jefferson City, TN. He received his master's degree from the University of Tennessee in 1965. He remained an avid Gator fan and loved spending Saturdays in the fall attending games and tailgating with family.

Ron was a dedicated educator and coach. He taught for one year in Miami before moving to Thomasville, Georgia where he taught and coached at Central High School and Brookwood. He moved his family to Crystal River in 1971 and began teaching science at Crystal River High School along with coaching football and track. He later lived and taught at the Marine Science Station before leaving education to pursue a career in shrimp research. Ron was one of the first scientists to identify the conditions required for the breeding of shrimp in captivity, which allowed him to build successful shrimp farms in Chicago, The Bahamas, and Ecuador. Ron returned to education in 1983 at Crystal River High School, and after a short time moved to Lecanto High School the first year it was open. Ron taught and coached football and track at LHS until he retired in 2005.

Ron loved the water and fishing was his favorite pastime, but his passion was for kids and science. He worked tirelessly with students during and after school. He spent countless hours helping students with projects for local, state, and international science fairs. He facilitated student internships and took students to visit colleges and meet with professors. His dedication to students resulted in many lifelong friendships.

Ron was a member of Seven Rivers Church and for many years served and worshiped through singing in the choir. Even after his dementia progressed the choir members supported him and allowed him to continue doing what he loved. Ron's love for Christ and his love for his family were at the core of who he was. The dementia stripped away so much but still left him with those truths. He loved God and his family! NOTHING pleased him more than a visit from kids, grands and great-grands! His four kids were the joy of his life. He loved his wife, Becky, dearly and was a devoted and loving husband.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Freda Worthington, sister, Joanne Pearcy, brothers-in-law, Morgan Pearcy and Jim McKinnon, nephew, Mark Pearcy and many dearly loved cousins and friends.

Left to cherish his memory is his family: His wife of 38 years, Becky Worthington, sister, Jill McKinnon, daughters, Karen Allen (Jeff), Amy Ballentine (Mike) and sons Brent Worthington (Paige) and Wesley Worthington (Baynard). Grandchildren, Amy Gutierrez (Jorge), Aaron Allen (Loren Fay), Jared Allen (Mary Kathryn), Felicia Noboa (Frank), Emily Puentes (Jizu), Will Ballentine, Sam Ballentine (Colleen), Quentin Ballentine (Lauryn), Kara Ballentine, Colvin Worthington, Briggs Worthington, Ryder Worthington, Mallory Worthington, Blaine Worthington and Mimi Worthington. Great-grands are Lini and Rhea Puentes, Molly Ann and Carly Allen, Michael and Isaiah Noboa, Colter Cassidy, Audry Ballentine, Emma Allen. Sister-in-law Sandy Mann (Chuck), niece Abby Mann and nephews Phillip Pearcy, Paul Pearcy (Maureen), Daniel Pearcy, Kevin McKinnon (Kendra), Keith McKinnon (Whitney).

His special friends: Rushi Patel (former student), Jim Cossey (faithful chess buddy for thirteen years), and all his friends from Miami High who provided a lifetime of fun.

Our family would like to give special acknowledgement to Ron's constant companion, caregiver, and friend, Norma Henry, with gratitude for ten years of loving service and friendship to all of us. Norma, "Papaw" loved you so much.

Funeral services for Ron will be held at 11:00 am Monday, April 1, 2024 at Seven Rivers Church, 4221 W. Gulf to Lake Hwy, Lecanto with Pastor Ray Cortese officiating. Friends may call from 10:00 am until the time of service Monday. Interment will follow at Hills of Rest Cemetery. Online condolences for the family can be left at www.HooperFuneralHome.com.

Flowers are welcome, or memorial donations may be made to Seven Rivers Church or Citrus County Education Foundation/Science Fair.