J. W. Wortham
April 15, 1950 ~ January 17, 2021
At the age of 70, J.W. Wortham, Jr., of Tyler, left this world for his home in Heaven on Sunday, the 17th day of January 2021. He was born in Palestine, Texas, on the 15th day of April 1950, to parents J.W. Wortham and Mary Fletcher Wortham.
J.W. retired from Halliburton after a long career as a sales and service engineer. He attended Flint Baptist Church and adored worshiping with his Christian brothers and sisters. J.W. was known for pawn shopping and antiquing. He was a gun enthusiast and in his spare time enjoyed attending gun shows. J.W. loved joking around and cherished the time he was able to spend with his loving wife and family.
He is preceded in death by his father, J.W. Wortham; mother, Mary Fletcher Wortham Johnson; and in-laws, Leon and Jo Luce.
J.W. is survived by his wife of 48 years Melba Luce Wortham; sons, Eric Wortham and wife Rachel of Louisiana and Jason Wortham of Tyler; sister, Wanice Wortham Hughes and husband Larry; grandchildren, Stefanie Haddenham and husband Michael, Morgan Wortham, Erica Wilson and husband Ryan, Jaycie Vogt and husband Josh, Theresa Arnold, and Darrin Wortham. J.W. is also survived by his great-grandchildren, Lariah, Blaine, Skobi, Broox, Riley, River, Brant, Gunnar and Millie Jo.
A funeral service to celebrate J.W. Wortham's life is to be conducted at three o'clock in the afternoon, on Saturday, the 23rd day of January 2021 in the Rhone Memorial Chapel in Palestine, Texas with Bro. Gary Luker officiating. Interment will follow in McCarter Cemetery in Grapeland, Texas.
Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family beginning at two o'clock until the start of the service at Rhone Funeral Home also on the 23rd day of January 2021.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Kevin Smith, Benji Gillum, Justin Lumbreraz, Derek Bowman, Bryan Hughes, Nick Lumbreraz, Jeremey Rowden, and Richard Vandenbroeke.
(For those unable to attend the service, a live stream will be accessible through Rhone Funeral Home's Facebook Page.)
Kindly note that for the protection of all who visit our funeral home current protocols and guidelines are in place where masks and social distancing are required.
Funeral services for J.W. Wortham, Jr. are in care of Rhone Funeral Home, 3900 S. State Highway 19, Palestine, Texas.
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My very good Friend. Rest in Peace Brother.
Juan/Denise Cruz
There will never be another like him ! He always had a joke to tell or even an insult but it was always said with love ! He always made fun of me for taking so many pics of my boys , he told me they should be permanently blinded by my flash.
We are so sorry for your loss. May God bring you all comfort and your sweet memories outweigh your sadness.ÂÂ
With loving sympathy,
Milton and Betty Conaway
My condolences and prayers and tears to JW Wortham and all of his family. He was a wonderful grandpa to my two grandughters …Erica Wilson and Jaycie Vogt…and their children. I can only imagine what he has seen on his way to kneeling down at the feet of Jesus with no more pain….Love to all of this family.
Melba and family.  Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Melba, Jerry and I are so sorry for your loss. ÂÂ
Our prayers are with you and the family.ÂÂ
  Jerry and Joy Daly
Melba, I was really shocked when I saw JW’s picture and Obituary in the paper.  It seems like a long time since I last saw you both.  It was always a pleasure when I ran into you at the gun shows.  It was real neat that anytime I saw JW, I would see you also.  You both must have had something really special.  Looking at the pictures, it looks like you had a great 48 years.  We will be praying that God helps you and your family get through this hard time. ÂÂ
I had the best times with JW. He was my mud engineer. I thought the world of him and always had such a good time messing with him and playing practical jokes on him. He was always in a cheerful spirit. I will truly miss him. I have so many great memories with him.
With all my love
Kevin and Melanie Smith
Melba and family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time of great sorrow at the loss of J.W., your loved one. Praying for peace and comfort that only our Lord and Savior can provide at this time.  With love, Bill and Cleo ChavisÂÂ
We are so sorry for your loss. Praying for God’s comfort for you and your family at this time. Sad to lose a loved one, but so reassuring to know he is in heaven without pain!
Melba & family,
So sorry for your loss:. RIH JW. His smiling face will be missed in our neighborhood.ÂÂ