Charles "Garth" Worthen, 61, passed away suddenly at his home in Yuma, Arizona, on Wednesday, September 10th, 2014. He was born on November 25, 1952 in Yuma. Garth was devoted to his community and gave freely of his time and talent. As a longtime volunteer with the Yuma Jaycees, his generosity was aptly rewarded – royally, you might say – when, on October 17, 1992, he married the 1983 Yuma Jaycees Rodeo Queen, Mary Gordon. After graduating from Kofa High School in 1970, Garth joined the U.S. Army National Guard. Later he worked for Gilpins, Tanner, Fisher Dodge and Alexander Ford, and, most recently with McNeece Brothers Oil Company, as manager of its 4th Avenue Shell Convenience store. After 23 years with the company, he was preparing to retire on October 31st of this year. In addition to the Jaycees, which he served as Rodeo chairman in 1982, Garth was instrumental in helping to establish the Yuma Jaycees Foundation. He also volunteered with the Marine Corps League, working tirelessly to ensure the success of numerous events and activities, from golf tournaments to toy drives during the holidays.On the subject of holidays, Garth was Father Christmas, complete with the twinkle in his sky-blue eyes. Many locals still remember when he and his wife, Mary, used to dress up as Mr. and Mrs. Claus and give out candy at their home – transformed into a winter wonderland by Garth's own gifted hand. But mostly, for Garth, Christmas – and every day – was about friends and family, including the four-legged and feathered ones that shared in his life. Garth enjoyed cruising around in his Kawasaki Tyrek side by side with his dogs riding shot-gun. He loved camping with friends, riding his Harley, and hunting. He was an enthusiastic fan of the San Diego Chargers and NASCAR, attending many races. He was a proficient welder and honed his horticultural skills as de facto gardener for his sister-in-law, Joyce. Garth loved his family deeply and that love was reciprocated. He leaves behind a huge hole in many hearts.Garth was blessed with a keen intelligence and a lively curiosity, and he pursued a wide variety of interests. He was a social and outgoing individual, but he also had a very private side, comfortable in his own company. One of his latest passions was flying remote control planes. With his feet planted on terra firma, Garth would take flight with those planes – his spirit and imagination soaring up to the clouds and beyond, into skies as blue as his laughing eyes.Garth is survived by his loving wife, Mary (Gordon) Worthen of Yuma; daughter Tanya Worthen of Phoenix; sister Marsha Carter of Tucson; brothers Joe Worthen and sister-in-law Kaweah, and Elton Worthen all of Yuma; three grandchildren, three nephews, several cousins; mother-in-law Helen "Marie" Gordon and sister-in-law Joyce Gordon, both of Yuma. He is preceded in death by his parents, Charles Albert Worthen and Lois Ione (Beebe) Worthen. They would have been proud of how deftly he stepped into their shoes – large ones to fill – and took care of his siblings going from a brother to the Big Brother.A service will be held at Johnson Mortuary on Saturday, September 20th at 11 a.m. with a Celebration of Life to follow at the Yuma Jaycees Clubhouse. In Lieu of flowers, the family would like donations made to the Yuma County Humane Society and Wounded Warrior Foundation.