Donald Worford

Donald Ray Worford of Denver passed away March 16, 2020, at the age of 75.

He was born December 24, 1944, in Wichita, Kan., to Robert Eugene and Opal Worford. He served in the United States Navy from 1962-1966 and after his service graduated from Wichita State University in 1970.

He moved to Denver not long after that and married Rebecca Lane in 1973 in Richmond, Indiana. He was a career salesman, selling school supplies, cars, candy and eventually finishing his career with Bose.

Donald was a kind and generous man his entire life, always wanting to give to others and make people happy and comfortable and wanting everyone he knew to succeed. In this regard he made many friends over time, from the Navy, his fraternity, Kappa Sigma, at Wichita State, helping with family activities and the many people he encountered selling things. Of course, his family benefited from such generosity often.

He was incredibly proud of his time he served in the Navy, talking about it often and sharing many stories, wearing alumni gear and even giving his family replica dog tags for Christmas a few years ago. Receiving military honors was one of the things he wanted most at the end of his life.

Don loved the Denver Broncos, Colorado Rockies and Wichita State Shockers and would watch or listen to every broadcast he could and talk about them non-stop in good times and bad. But most of all, and especially after retirement, he loved his home, yard and yardwork.

He spent hours outside making sure everything was green and beautiful. Many people, especially in the neighborhood he lived for more than 40 years, knew him as much for that yard as anything. It kept him active and joyful.

Donald is survived by his wife Rebecca of Fort Collins, Colo.; daughter Tracy Lane of Denver; son David and daughter-in-law Cherie of Fort Collins; brother Lewis and his wife Jill of Goddard, Kan.; and four grandchildren, Eugene, Gus, Theodore and Ezra. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother Dwight Hoppes.

A memorial service for Donald will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, June 25, 2021, at Calvary Baptist Church of Denver, 6500 E. Girard Ave. There will be a reception to follow at the church.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Project Sanctuary, https://projectsanctuary.us/, PO Box 1563, Granby, CO, 80446; or to the American Legion, https://mylegion.org/PersonifyEbusiness/Donate