Ivan Worrell

1927 - 2017

Ivan Worrell

Sweetwater, TN

Ivan Garren Worrell, 89, died peacefully June 12, 2017, at the Lodge at Wood Home in Sweetwater, TN. He was born December 4, 1927, in Holden, WV, to Ivan B. Worrell and Bertha L. Garren Worrell.

He proudly served his country in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. After graduating from Maryville High School, Maryville, TN, he joined the Navy at the end of World II serving on the destroyer minesweepers USS Rodman and USS Hambleton. After his Navy service he attended Georgia Military Academy graduating with an associate degree in 1950 and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the US Army Reserves. When he returned to Maryville he worked at Alcoa and attended the University of Tennessee where he met the love of his life, Alice Ruth Robinson. If you are reading this and knew them, you know their love story. They had a model marriage and touched hundreds of people.

In February 1951, during the Korea conflict, he answered the nation's call and entered the Army. After training at Fort Benning he was assigned to the 1st Loudspeaker and Leaflet Company in Korea. After returning from Korea he was assigned to Fort Bragg where he became one of the first seven members of our nation's now famous special forces as an A Team Leader in the 10th Special Forces Group. The Group moved to Germany and after 3 years Ivan returned to Fort Campbell where he was assigned as the first Company Commander of Company C, First Airborne Battle Group 327th Infantry at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He later served as the assistant S-2 of the 327th. In 1960 he was assigned to a second tour with the 10th Special Forces Group in Germany and served again as a team leader and as Group S-2. On return to the States he served as a B Team Leader in the 5th Special Forces Group, S-2 of the 6th Special Forces Group, attended the University of Omaha and received a Degree in Journalism.

In May of 1966 he became the Information Officer of the First Brigade (Separate), 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam. On his return to the States his last assignment was as Information Officer of the 82nd Airborne Division where he retired in August of 1969.

Retirement was short as he joined the Ketchum Company as a fundraiser. Later he started his own fundraising company, Worrell Consulting. His success led to him being recruited to head the fundraising directorate of the Boy Scouts of America. After the second retirement he and Alice moved to Sweetwater, TN, to be closer to Alice's parents in Knoxville. He continued his fundraising work and then became the Executive Secretary of the 101st Airborne Division Association with an office in Sweetwater.

Alice and Ivan quickly became passionate members of Sweetwater fraternal and charitable organizations. They were also renowned for their festivities at home on their "Eagles Nest" deck that included many parties and social events including many for children. He was the chairman of the Sweetwater Homecoming 86 celebration and twice Grand Marshall of the Sweetwater July 4th Parade.

Ivan was a Distinguished Member of the 327th Airborne Infantry Regiment, Past Board Member of the 101st Airborne Division Association, served on the board of the Sweetwater Library Foundation, was an Elder in the First Presbyterian Church, life member of the 101st Airborne Division Association, the Special Forces Association, the 82nd Airborne Division Association, VFW and American Legion and Combat Infantrymen's Association. He belonged to his local Masonic Lodge and Odd Fellows Lodge.

He is survived by his sister Sue Lee Luck Betz of Daphne, AL, two daughters, Susan B. Worrell Iacunato and John of Fredericksburg, Virginia, Anne Worrell Beech and Curttis of Arlington, Virginia, son Howard Clinton Kirk III and Joyce of Leavenworth, Kansas, brother Stephen F. Humphrey and Joyce of Tallahassee, Florida. Grandchildren Colonel Howard C. Kirk, IV and Julie, of Vicenza, Italy, Sarah McNamara of Richmond, Virginia, Dr. Ryan Kirk and Jamie Smedsmo of Burlington, North Carolina, Daniel Quarles and Staci of Clarksville, Tennessee, Carole Iacunato of Charlottesville, Virginia and Patrick Iacunato of Charlottesville, Virginia.

Eleven great-grandchildren, Zachery and Ella Kirk of Vicenza, Italy; Emily Keener Richmond, Virginia; Victoria, Jackson and Jonathan Quarles of Clarksville, Tennessee; Ian and Peter Kirk of Burlington, North Carolina; Jacob Pugh, Gabriel Fisher, and Gracelyn Phillips of Charlottesville, Virginia. .

In lieu of flowers it was Ivan's wish that a contribution be made to the Home Health Care of East Tennessee, 665 New Highway 68, Sweetwater, TN 37874.

Visitation beginning at 5:00pm, Memorial Service beginning at 7:00 pm, Thursday, June 29, 2019 Kyker Funeral Homes, 113 West North Street, Sweetwater, TN 27874; Reverend Christopher Noto presiding.

Burial with full military honors will be held in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

Kyker Funeral Homes Sweetwater in charge.