Michael Pawhuska Worley

Michael Pawhuska Worley, 63, a resident of High Point, North Carolina, died unexpectedly Saturday November 24, 2012 at High Point Regional Hospital. Michael was born in Sendai, Honshu, Japan, the second son of Edward Thomas Worley and Mary Ellen Schmidt. He completed some of his education in Germany, was a Specialist in the US Army during the Viet Nam war, and served as a Translator and Interpreter of the Arabic language with Army Intelligence. He spent time in Europe, Africa and the Near East. He graduated Law school from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and then earned a Master in Tax Law degree from George Washington University in Washington, DC. He retired in 2004 from his position as an Assistant Attorney General for the state of Arizona, and then enjoyed his new passion: photography. During his retirement he spent many happy hours with wonderful buddies on multiple photography Workshops and trips, photographing in Bryce Canyon, Monument Valley, Zion National Park, the Grand Canyon, Alaska, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, the Antelope Canyons, Death Valley, the Outer Banks of North Carolina, Yosemite and even his backyard. Landscape photography was his favorite. He also had a wonderful sense of humor; could write eloquently and knew just about everything about anything. There was always an historical perspective to share, and he often said that he wanted to “educate, entertain or amuse” whomever he was speaking with. He had an uncanny ability to strike up a conversation with anyone, wherever he was, at any given time. He was predeceased by his older brother and parents, and is survived by his wife; Claire Mannella. No service is planned, and he will be cremated in North Carolina. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the National Park Foundation at http://www.nationalparks.org/ or to your favorite local or State park. He would love that.