Thomas Eugene "Gene" Worrell

Thomas Eugene "Gene" Worrell, 86, of Charlottesville, died at the University of Virginia Medical Center on Thursday, April 20, 2006. A noted newspaper publisher, outdoorsman, art collector, gardener, philanthropist, real estate developer and author of "The Honey Guide," Gene Worrell was the former owner of, among other newspapers, The Daily Progress and the Bristol Herald-Courier. Born July 30, 1919 in Bristol, Virginia, he was the son of the late Howard Hampton and Hester Denton Worrell. He was preceded in death by his brother, Jim Worrell. He attended Wake Forest College on a debating scholarship where he distinguished himself as a champion orator. Graduating cum laude in 1940, he attended Wake Forest School of Law, and earned his degree from George Washington School of Law. He met his wife and lifelong companion, Anne Everette Rowell, in Bristol where she attended Virginia Intermont College. He worked as a special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation during World War II and later practiced law in his hometown of Bristol. His community involvement led to his selection as "Young Man of the Year," and as Chamber of Commerce president he was influential in bringing several industries to the area after the war. In 1949, he began a career as a newspaperman and, with his wife, founded The Virginia Tennessean newspaper in Bristol. This marked the beginning of Worrell Newspapers, Inc., which became one of the largest chains of small dailies in the country. His purchase of The Daily Progress in 1970 prompted their move to Charlottesville, where he lived until his death. Upon moving to Charlottesville, he acquired "Pantops" farm for the corporate offices of Worrell Newspapers. He subsequently purchased adjacent properties and developed Peter Jefferson Place, one of the premiere office parks in the area, providing an outstanding working environment for many local and national businesses. Peter Jefferson Place will be the future home of Martha Jefferson Hospital. In 1978, he transferred ownership of Worrell Newspapers to his son, Thomas E. Worrell Jr. and established Worrell Investment Company, where he had continued to serve as president. Worrell Investment Company's office is home to The Worrell Collection, an outstanding collection of wildlife art. The only collection of its magnitude in the country, it includes sculpture, paintings and antique Chinese jade. In 1979 he also founded Worrell Land and Cattle Company, premiere breeders of Limousin cattle. His commitment to supporting pioneering initiatives at Wake Forest University spanned 30 years, beginning with the purchase of a house in London to be used as a residential study center. The Worrell House has been home to hundreds of faculty and students while they lived and studied in London. He has endowed several professorships and established the Robert Goldberg Award in Trial Advocacy. In 1993 he made a gift to the University to create the Worrell Professional Center for Law and Management. This was the first academic building in the country to house law and graduate management schools under one roof, sharing programs, faculty and students. In 1979, he received an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree and, in 2006, was awarded the Medallion of Merit Award. This award is Wake Forest's highest honor and is presented for outstanding achievement and distinguished contribution to the University. A life member of the Board of Trustees of Wake Forest University, he was also a former member of the Board of Visitors of the Wake Forest School of Medicine, a retired member of the Virginia Bar Association, a retired member of The Virginia Chamber of Commerce, member of the Elks and Kiwanis and a member of Christ Episcopal Church in Charlottesville. Gene "used his living to make a life of giving." Through the years he has graciously supported Wake Forest University, Virginia Intermont College, The University of Virginia, Martha Jefferson Hospital, The Miller Center, The Salvation Army, The Charlottesville/ Albemarle Rescue Squad, The American Red Cross, The City Center for Contemporary Arts, The Virginia Historical Society, Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum and numerous other charitable organizations. He is survived by his wife and best friend, Anne Rowell Worrell; their son, Thomas Eugene Worrell Jr. and his wife, Odette; four grandchildren, Shannon Worrell and her husband, Bill Chapman, Thomas E. "Zack" Worrell III and his wife, Carrie, Zoe and Shaffer Worrell. Also surviving are four great-grandchildren, Everette and Gresham Chapman, and Cyrus and Celia Worrell. Always claiming to be the "oldest man in the PTA," he is also survived by a nephew and two nieces to whom he was their surrogate dad, Bob Roberts, Ande Niedermayer and Patricia Lowe, their spouses, Barbara Roberts, Bill Niedermayer and Eric Lowe, and their children, Justin Daniel, Cameron, Daniel and Kelsey Niedermayer, Amelia, Annie and Audrey Lowe. Also surviving are nieces and nephews, Michael Worrell and his wife, Bep, Jim Worrell and his wife, Candie, and their children, Cicely and Denton, Duston Spear, her husband, Jon-Marc Seimon, and her children, Emma Spear-Brodsky and Kate Spear-Brodsky. He also leaves to cherish his memory his special friends, Gray and Maurice Henry and Robin Kreitler. The family extends grateful appreciation for the love and care of Dr. Barbara Post, Dr. Robert Gibson and Dr. Edward Rose; his devoted caregivers and friends, Jo Haden and Beryl Mitchell; and the staff "family" of Worrell Investment Company. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 24, 2006 at Christ Episcopal Church, with Rev. Paul Walker officiating. A private family service will be held prior to the memorial service.