Fred Ray Worley

A Funeral Service for Fred Ray Worley, 75, of Emory, will be held at 2:00 p.m. on January 31, 2025, at Amazing Grace Fellowship Church in Alba, Texas with Pastor Byron George officiating.  Visitation will be held 1:00 p.m. on January 31, 2025, at Amazing Grace Fellowship Church

Fred Ray Worley, 75, of Emory, Texas, got his last call on January 25, 2025 in his home surrounded by his family. Born on May 19, 1949, in Greenville, Texas, Fred was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, friend and member of the class of 1969; who touched the lives of everyone he met.

Fred was a member at Amazing Grace Fellowship Church in Alba. He was a devout Christian and he loved his church family. His last words uttered were "I want to see God". He knew where he was going.

Fred wouldn't want his obituary to be without a paragraph about Sue. Fred met Sue in elementary school and he knew even then that he would be with her for the rest of his life. They were married August 30, 1967. Fred always considered Sue and him to be one. You can't say Fred without saying Fred and Sue. Sue has been by Fred's side through the good and the bad. Fred would be the first to tell you that she has fulfilled her wedding vows.

Fred had many occupations. He worked at E-Systems, Sabine River Authority, Greenville Fire Department, was a truck stop manager, and a ranch foreman, however firefighting was his passion. Fred dedicated his life to serving others through his career as a firefighter, paramedic, and community advocate. In August 1973, he became one of the first State of Texas Certified Firefighters. In 1978, Fred was one of the first certified paramedics/firefighters for the Greenville Fire Department and Hunt County. In 1982, Fred petitioned Rains County Commissioners Court to have a special election to create the Rains County Rural Fire Prevention District and it passed. Fred became the first paid paramedic for the Emory Rains Rural Fire Prevention District for Rains County, where he also served as the first EMS Chief. He worked tirelessly to improve response times, successfully petitioning the Rains County Sheriff Department to allow fire and ambulance calls to be dispatched through the sheriff’s department. This eliminated the need for volunteer firefighters to rely on fire phones, significantly reducing response times and saving lives. Fred was a Red Cross First Aid instructor for decades.

Fred’s commitment to his community extended beyond emergency services. In 1991, he petitioned the Rains County Commissioners Court to give jurors the option to donate to abused and neglected children in Rains County. His efforts led to the program’s implementation, which spread across the state of Texas, benefiting countless children. Fred also worked to honor veterans, successfully petitioning the State of Texas in 2020 to rename the "Two Mile Bridge" over Lake Tawakoni for Staff Sgt. Shawn Henry McNabb, a U.S. Army veteran who lost his life in Afghanistan. In 2022, he petitioned for the bridge on Highway 19 North over Lake Fork to be renamed the "Mildred McMillan Garrett Memorial Bridge," honoring another U.S. Army veteran.

 A few of Fred’s extraordinary contributions earned him numerous honors throughout his life:

 1980 Served on East Texas Council of Government Emergency Medical Advisory Committee

1982 Citizen of the Year, presented by the Emory Lions Club

1982 Plaque for Acts of Humanity, presented by Sand Flats Baptist Church for his service to the Sand Flats Community

1983 Fireman of the Year, Emory Volunteer Fire Department

1985 Plaque from Rains ISD for assisting injured players during sports and school functions

1990 Elected Vice-President of the local 911 Greenville Professional Firefighters Association

1991 Nominated for Paul Kelly Humanitarian Award by the Texas Association of Firefighters

1991 Board member Rains County Child Protective Services

1996 Member of committee that founded Eaglefest

1997 Featured as a honored father by the Mineola Monitor

1997 Retired City of Greenville Fireman Plaque, awarded after a career-ending injury

2024 United States Congressionanl Patriot Award

Fred was known for his visionary leadership, kind heart, and unwavering dedication to his family and community. He cherished the time spent with his loved ones, creating memories that will be treasured forever. Fred was a one of a kind and did a lot of strange things to keep life interesting. Fred and Sue could be seen at all of their kids and grandkids activities. Fred enjoyed coaching youth sports and did so for over 20 years. If you live in Rains County then you are certain to have seen Fred in the community helping someone or maybe been to one of the benefit Rock and Roll concerts that they put together. Fred and Sue's house had an open door and took in many kids in need throughout the years. Some kids stayed for a night and others for much longer. 

Fred is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Sue Worley; his children, Shane Worley, Misty Mattson, and Tyson Worley; his daughter-in-law, Jennifer Worley; Ron Kelley; Shannon Ortloff, Kelly Worley and his cherished grandchildren, Jacob Singleman, Trenton Worley, Ty Mattson, Caden Worley, Emily Worley, Kennedy Worley, Brooks Worley, and Cannon Worley.

Fred was preceded in death by his mother, Gladys McBride Barker; his father, Jesse James Worley; his stepfather, Steve Barker; and his children, Brian Worley and Hapi Worley.

 A visitation will be held on Friday, January 31, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Amazing Grace Fellowship Church, located at 7405 US-69, Alba, TX 75410. A funeral service will follow at 2:00 PM.

 The family requests that you consider donations to your local fire department in Fred's memory, a cause close to his heart. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Wilson Orwosky Funeral Home.

 Fred’s warmth, laughter, and love will be deeply missed, but his legacy of service and compassion will never be forgotten by all who knew him. 

 Fred, that is not bad for a kid that didn't graduate high school and was homeless at 10.