James Randolph Worsley Jr.

1924 - 2024

James Randolph Worsley, Jr. was born in Rocky Mount, NC on July 28, 1924 to James Randolph Worsley, Sr. and Helen Killian Worsley. Jim attended Greenville High School (Greenville, NC) and earned a BS in 1944 from East Carolina University. He was commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy in 1942 and was released from active duty in 1946 as a Lieutenant (jg). He graduated from Harvard Law School in 1949. He practiced law in Washington, DC, first as an associate at Klagsbrunn, Hanes & Irwin, then as a partner at Ober, Kaler, Grimes & Shriver (and predecessor firm) from 1955 until he retired in 2016. He married Cornelia Cheston on February 11, 1956 and they shared 62 wonderful years together. Nellie predeceased him in April 2018. They lived in Chevy Chase, MD, where they raised a family, were active in the community and enjoyed traveling together. Jim was active in the Democratic Party in Maryland as well as active in volunteer work at Blessed Sacrament Church. He was Chairman of the Maryland Potomac Water Authority from 1969-1971 and on the Montgomery County (Maryland) Charter Revision Commission, 1967. He was a member of the pastoral council of the Archdiocese of Washington, 1975-1978 and on the board of directors of the Madeira School, Greenway, Virginia, 1975-1981. He was also a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation and member of Chevy Chase Club, Metropolitan Club, and Knights of Malta. Jim enjoyed sailing with Nellie in the Chesapeake Bay when they first met. Later, he loved spending his summers on North Haven Island in Maine, where he raced and cruised on sailboats in the Penobscot Bay, enjoyed tennis and bike riding, and spent time with extended family and friends. Despite his active professional and volunteer life, Jim's primary commitment was to family and friends. He was a devoted father, grandfather and great grandfather and hosted many memorable parties for friends in DC and Maine. Jim passed away of natural causes in his home at Ingleside Rock Creek on July 1, 2024. He is survived by his three daughters, Nelia (John), Julie (Joe), and Charlotte (Eli); six grandchildren, Will (Angela), Alex (Audrey), Charlotte (Paul), Matt (Hanna), Ben and Hannah; four great granddaughters (Kaila, Ryan, Leigh, Chloe) and two great grandsons (Kino, Ollie); and a large extended family that includes his brother Richard and sisters Bernadine and Ann and many nieces and nephews. A celebration of Jim's life will be held Saturday, July 27, 2024 at 10 a.m. at Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 5949 Western Ave, Washington, DC. In lieu of flowers, donations can be given in Jim's name to Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament Church or Waterman's Community Center of North Haven, ME.