Worth Sylvester Wren, Jr.

Worth Sylvester Wren, Jr. passed away peacefully from complications related to bile duct cancer on the 9^th of November 2022, with his two children bedside at the Heart to Heart Hospice facility in Fort Worth, Texas. Worth was born on December 31^st in 1947 in Lampasas, Texas, where he grew up, thrived on socialization, developed many life-long friendships, expanded his thirst for knowledge, and cared for (and pestered…) his younger siblings while surrounded by a large extended family whom he loved.

Many have said that Worth’s interest in journalism began at a young age, even on his first paper route as a child in Lampasas. His passion for journalism took him to several college campuses as he continued his education after graduating from Lampasas High School, and he completed his undergraduate degree at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. He then earned his master’s degree in mass communications from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, where he met his late wife, Nelda Kay Harvey, whom he married on the 12^th of September in 1981.

During his journalism career, Worth worked for several newspapers and publications, including the Killeen Daily Herald and Lubbock’s Avalanche Journal. He said in recent years that the Lake Livingston Progress and the Polk County Enterprise were the most fun in his career, while the Fort Worth Star-Telegram was his greatest challenge – including his many years covering the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo (often with his children in tow) through his signature publication “The Farm and Ranch Awards.” In his later semi-retired years, he spent much of his time substitute teaching in local Fort Worth high schools, freelancing journalistic pieces for individuals and groups, and tutoring ESL students and volunteering on the north side of Fort Worth.

Despite his wife’s best efforts as an accomplished pianist, even she was unable to teach the ol’ journalist the fundamentals of music, but Worth enjoyed many years as videographer for piano recitals and listening to his children play piano in their home in Saginaw, Texas. His greatest joys involved spending time with family and friends, playing ‘42’ and Scrabble, reading prolifically, snapping photos, “managing” his fantasy baseball team, voicing opinions to anyone with ears, and consuming anything containing chocolate.

Worth maintained a noticeable optimism throughout his lengthy battle with cancer, an optimism still present in the days leading to his death. He believed that his Lord and Savior “Jesucristo” was his hope for the next life, and he was often fascinated with wonder about what awaited him. In his final months, he came to understand and believe his position as a child of God.

Worth is preceded in death by his parents, Worth Sr. and Johnnie M. Wren; wife, Nelda Wren and brother, James Wren. He is survived by his son, E. Clinton Wren, daughter-in-law, Christina, and grandsons Nolan and Paxton of Midland, TX; daughter, Johnnie J. Wren-McNeillie, son-in-law, Jason, and expectant granddaughter, Nellie, of Plattsburgh, NY; sister, Ann Harmon of Copperas Cove, TX; brother, Carl Wren and wife Kim of Salado, TX; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, family friends, and colleagues.

Visitation will occur on Friday, November 18^th at The Hills Church in North Richland Hills, Texas, at 1pm followed by the memorial service at 2pm. Interment is on Saturday, November 19^th at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lampasas, Texas, at 11am.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

The Hills Church www.thehills.org
Heart to Heart Hospice Foundation https://www.htohhfoundation.org/donation/