1944 – 2015

PERU — J.R. Worthington of Peru died peacefully at home on Friday, Oct. 16, after a brief struggle with esophageal cancer.

He was born on Sept. 16, 1944, in Cutbank, Mont., a son of the late James and Marjorie Worthington. He graduated from Plentywood High School in Plentywood, Mont., and later attended college in Minneapolis, Minn.

He is survived by his life partner and wife, Bonnie Marien of Peru; three sons, Todd Worthington of Sioux Falls, S.D., Thomas Worthington and wife, Ian, of Gillette, Wyo., and Tate Worthington of Sioux Falls, S.D.; and two step-children, Stacey Marien of Washington, D.C., and Nicholas Marien of Summerfield, N.C. J.R. was blessed with nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. They are Tori and Tanner of Sioux Falls, S.D., Kayla and Jessica of Gillette, Wyo., Livia and Mara of Sioux Falls, S.D., Emma and Brian Keyes of Washington, D.C., Dominick Marien of Summerfield, N.C.; and great-grandchild, Addyson of Gillette, Wyo. He is also survived by his brother, Raymond and wife, Sandy, of Kendrick, Idaho.

J.R. was a successful businessman and entrepreneur during his adult life. He and a partner owned many Kentucky Fried Chicken franchises, which operated in North and South Dakota as well as Saskatchewan, Canada. Once retired from the “chicken business” and his relocation to Peru, he owned and operated the Maine Powder House, a black powder distribution business, for many years. His employment also included 14 years as a part-time rural mail carrier for Rumford and Mexico.

He made many contributions to his community of Peru including serving and chairing the Planning Board, acting as town warden and helping wherever needed. He was a member of the Peru Volunteer Fire Department, volunteered at the Servant’s Heart Food Pantry and the Demerritt Cemetery Association. For many years he assisted with the gun safety course for the Junior Rifle Team at Webb River Sportsmen’s Club. He was a champion marksman, but his real passion was fishing. Some of his most memorable times were spent sitting in the middle of a lake fishing with his best buddy, Paul Graf.

Friends and family are invited to sign the online guest book and share memories with the family at www.meaderandson.com.