Kenneth DuWayne Worthington

In Honor of Kenneth DuWayne Worthington

Kenneth was born in Gannett, Idaho on December 11th,1935 to his parents Vearl and Isabell Worthington. He was raised in Gannett, the fourth of eleven children, and grew up going to a one-room country school for his elementary education. He graduated from Bellevue High School with the class of 1953

After high school Ken went to college in Moscow (University of Idaho), where he studied Animal Husbandry. He earned two bachelor degrees, with a minor in Education. He later also went to Utah State University, earning his masters degree in Library science.

Ken began teaching in 1958 at the Cambridge High School in Cambridge Idaho. His career in education took him to Suntex Oregon, Frenchglen Oregon, and Carey Idaho before securing the position of librarian at Wood River High School in Blaine County. He served there faithfully for 32 years and retired in 1996 after nearly four decades in education.

While teaching in Cambridge, he married fellow teacher, June Worthington on August 25, 1959. Their four children, Robbie, DuWayne, Alan, and Lollie completed their family. After returning to the Wood River valley from Frenchglen Oregon in 1970, Ken and his family lived in his childhood home across from the Nature Conservancy. There he raised cattle, horses, pigs, and chickens. In 1980, they purchased 20 acres on the southern end of the family ranch from his mother and built a home there, where they have lived ever since.

Ken loved to go camping, fishing (especially for salmon), and hunting around the Picabo Hills with his family members for elk and deer. He became a member of Bellevue Community Church where he was a faithful member for many years, eventually becoming an elder. He later joined Hailey Baptist Church, helping to revitalize it, and eventually becoming chairman of the board there. He enjoyed singing and worshiping and teaching Sunday School classes wherever he was.

After retirement Ken continued his love of music by becoming a member of the Idaho Old Time Fiddlers. In 2006, he became its chairman and was a tireless promoter of fiddle and guitar playing by organizing performances and contests in southern Idaho and Oregon for people of all ages, especially young people. He also organized and played in weekly jam sessions at nursing homes and senior centers in Twin Falls, Jerome, Buhl, Gooding, and Hailey. He performed in parades around the Magic and Wood River valleys during the 4th of July and Wagon Days. He eventually composed a song about his beloved “Picabo Hills,” singing it during his performances at his weekly jam sessions. He was a regular at the National Old Time Fiddlers’ Contest in Weiser Idaho for many years and played there for the last time in June of 2025 at the age of 89.

Ken is survived by his wife June of 67 years, his 4 children, grandchildren: Michael, Krystal, Kaylin, Mark, Ashli, Juve, Favi, Mari, many great grandchildren, and sisters Alice, Joann, Verla, Sheryl, and Vicky. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Mel and Otis, and sisters Leora, Arlene, and Linda. He died peacefully on May 2nd at 9:00am in his home from heart complications at the age of 90.