A life lived to the fullest: Jeffery Worrell remembered for his love of music, caring ways

Jon Baker, The Times-Reporter
Updated ·2 min read
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BOLIVAR ― Jeffery "JD" Worrell was remembered Saturday as a young man who lived life to the fullest and made a friend out of every person he met.

The funeral for Worrell, 18, of Bolivar, was the first for the six people from the Tuscarawas Valley School District who died in a fiery bus crash Nov. 14 on Interstate 70 near Columbus.

Crosses can be seen along a fence at Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools after the funeral service for Jeffery 'JD' David Worrel on Saturday, Nov. 18, at Wilkshire Event Center in Bolivar.
Crosses can be seen along a fence at Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools after the funeral service for Jeffery 'JD' David Worrel on Saturday, Nov. 18, at Wilkshire Event Center in Bolivar.

The service opened with a recording of Worrell singing a song he performed last year. "He loved and lived music," said Pastor Bill Eckert of the Bolivar United Methodist Church, who officiated at the service.

Worrell, a senior at Tuscarawas Valley High School, loved being in the marching band, he loved acting and was involved with the choir and performing with the speech and debate teams, according to his obituary. He was the son of George and Deanna Worrell and had three siblings.

Before services began at the Wilkshire Event Center, a large screen in the front of the room showed photos of Worrell throughout his life. The room was filled nearly to capacity with family, friends and Tuscarawas Valley school administrators. A portion of one wall was lined with floral tributes.

Figuring out the meaning of life

Eckert said that King Solomon wrote a whole book in the Bible, Ecclesiastes, trying to figure out the meaning of life.

"JD, in 18 years, had that mastered. He knew exactly what life was about. His meaning of life was to love and care about everyone he met and to have people enjoy life with him. JD did that through his wonderful smile," the pastor said.

Jeffery D. Worrell, 18, of Bolivar, was a junior when he was the May 2023 Tuscarawas Valley Fine Arts Student of the Month.
Jeffery D. Worrell, 18, of Bolivar, was a junior when he was the May 2023 Tuscarawas Valley Fine Arts Student of the Month.

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He continued, "Music was JD's key to the meaning of life. Life is a song, and all he wanted to do was make people happy by the songs that he sang, that he enjoyed, and he played.

"He never met a stranger, because before long they were going to be calling him friend because of that wonderous smile and that wonderful attitude."

Dr. Derek Varansky, superintendent of Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools, listens to remarks delivered during the funeral service for Jeffery "JD" David Worrell on Saturday at Wilkshire Event Center in Bolivar. Worrell was a Tuscarawas Valley High School band student killed in a bus crash in Licking County on Tuesday along with two other students, two chaperones and a teacher.

The most patient person

His sister, Kayla Ross, described her brother as the most kind, caring, loving and the most patient person.

"I want to remind everybody just to live like Jeffery. There's not a single part of Jeffery that didn't live life to the fullest. He did so, so much," she said.

His father, George, said it was an honor to be JD's dad.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the other families, everyone effected by this," he said. We're going to do our best to allow ourselves to grieve, take the time we need to do that. So then get back to the business of living life to the fullest in honoring our son."

Following the service, a long procession of vehicles, led by area law enforcement, traveled to Fort Laurens Cemetery for the interment.

Reach Jon at 330-364-8415 or at jon.baker@times. reporter.com.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Jeffery Worrell remembers for his love of music, caring for others