Jim Worst was a natural leader whose winning presence allowed him to take control of various situations with ease. Equipped with a clear and calculating focus, he possessed a tough-minded, “take charge” attitude. He had the ability to make even routine situations seem exciting, and he was at ease with the role of playing problem solver. Jim always sought out the scene of where the action was. Sociable, analytical and pleasant, Jim was an individual who enjoyed life’s challenges.
Jim was born on July 26, 1938 at At home in Dighton, Michigan. His parents were William and Mabel Worst. Jim was raised in Dighton, Michigan and Grand Rapids, Michigan. Always able to express himself well, Jim possessed strong interpersonal skills. He was optimistic in his outlook on life and was able at all times to be open and direct in his communication. Armed with a great wit, Jim was raised to be accepting of others and to implement a strong personal work ethic.
Blessed with a balanced attitude, Jim was able to relate well with others. His occasional role as family mediator gave him the opportunity to ease tense situations when they occurred. Jim was raised with six siblings; four brothers and two sisters. He had Roy, Jean, Elbert, Donna, Bill and Pat. Jim had a strong desire to be treated fairly and would readily offer others the same fairness in return.
As a young child, Jim showed his creative ability in many ways. He was outgoing and animated. Jim enjoyed new activities and pursued a variety of interests. In his spare time he liked to hunt.
Known to others as a focused, logical, open-minded and somewhat driven individual, Jim was able to utilize these qualities to succeed in high school. His curious nature was spurred by his ability to maximize his personal learning style through employing a hands-on approach. He was good with facts and had an excellent memory. He graduated from Central High School in 1956. He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. His favorite class in high school was printing.
Friends and acquaintances found Jim an easy man to get to know, and those close to him would often praise his open, practical style of communication and relaxed approach to life in general. Jim was uncomplicated and straightforward in his relationships, which allowed him to accept people for what they were. While growing up, some of his best friends were Dick, Egbert, Jim and Ken. Later in life, he became friends with Kenny and Phil.
On August 8, 1959 Jim exchanged wedding vows with Betty Lou Slager at Betty's mother's home in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Jim was attentive to Betty's feelings, and he charmed Betty and others with his gift for being able to give freely and generously. A good listener with an engaging personality, Jim was able to bring pleasure and unexpected humor to the relationship.
Very much like a kid himself, Jim identified with the inquisitive and creative side of his children’s personalities. He was able to direct his energy and spontaneity towards helping his children acquire added common sense skills. Jim was blessed with two; one son and one daughter, Jim and Beth. They were also blessed with four grandchildren, Diana, Hannah, Dylan and Olivia.
Jim was a flexible worker who was able to draw the best from others around him. A persuasive individual who was quick to make necessary decisions, Jim’s strengths included being able to think on his feet. He could be a leader who sought impact for his decisions. Gifted with an incredible ability to read body language, Jim was able to positively manipulate situations and motivate others in order to get a task completed. He was a good negotiator who enjoyed new challenges. Jim could multi-task, and he was endowed with entrepreneurial spirit, allowing him to think beyond standard norms when it came to resolving issues in his work environment. His primary occupation was plant foreman. He was employed for 35 years at Formax.
Jim enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. He had something of an artistic flair in many of the things that he did. He put this creativity toward all of his pastimes. His favorite pursuits were fishing and hunting and working on cars. He was content to enjoy his hobbies alone but was also willing to share his interests with others.
Because he liked to take risks, Jim was a perfect match for athletics and exercise. He was enthusiastic and confident about these activities. Jim was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were college football.
Travel and vacations were experiences that Jim truly enjoyed. He preferred to seek out excitement wherever he went and he was partial to vacations that were casual and laid back with an atmosphere of “live and let live.” He was willing to leave his plans open and flexible, just in case something more interesting came along. Favorite vacations included family weekends in Dighton.
Jim was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. One of Jim’s favorites was Penny a Beagle. They were best friends for 12 years. His family was rounded out by his other dogs and horses.
When Jim’s retirement finally came in 2008, he was well prepared. He used logical analysis of his retirement options in order to ensure his retirement would be fulfilling. Still, he was able to easily adapt to possible changes and enjoyed just having fun and being relaxed. In retirement, he found new pleasure in fishing and attending his granchildren's numerous activities.
Jim passed away on August 14, 2010 at at home. He fought a brave battle against cancer. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Betty; children Jim (Lynne) Worst and Beth (Bret) Hoeksema; Grandchildren, Diana, Olivia, Hannah and Dylan, brother Bill, sisiers Jean and Donna; brothers-in-law Bob (Aggie) and Mike and mother-in-law Ruth. Also several nieces and nephews. Services were held at Reyers North Valley Chapel.
Jim was the kind of person who could win others over easily. A concrete communicator, he relied on his senses to increase his involvement and awareness of others. He was always able to provide amusing repartee to his friends and acquaintances, offering a seemingly endless supply of quips, anecdotes, jokes and stories. If Jim had a theme song written about him, it might well have been “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” He enjoyed his life and the experience of living it. This is how everyone will remember Jim Worst.
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