Fonrose Ellis Wortham, Jr.

Fonrose Ellis Wortham Jr., age 86, of Louisville, Kentucky went home to be with Jesus Christ his Lord and Savior on December 18, 2024. 

The youngest of six children born to Eva and Fonrose E Wortham Sr, “Junior” was born November 1, 1938 in the small Hardin County town of White Mills, Kentucky.  A graduate of Howevalley High, he attended Western Kentucky Teachers College where he met and married Sally Ann Coker, his loving wife for 27 years before her passing in 1987. Fonrose continued his studies at WKU, receiving his master’s degree in Education and Administration. An elementary school principal with JCPS for 29 years, he served at several schools: Indian Trail, Melbourne Heights, Slaughter, Norton, and Wheeler. An engaged leader in the National Association of Elementary School Principals, he was selected by President Ronald Reagan and U. S. Secretary of Education TH Bell to represent KY as National Distinguished Educator in 1984. Fonrose completed his tenure with JCPS at the VanHoose Center as an Executive Director to elementary principals prior to his retirement in 1989. He came out of retirement just a few months later to serve as principal of Christian Academy of Louisville, Rock Creek campus. As a distinguished, highly respected educator, he offered outstanding leadership during the growth and expansion of the Christian Academy School System, where he served for 12 years.

 “Mr. Wortham” loved every aspect of being an elementary school principal—the students, the parents, and especially the faculty. He had a gift of fostering connections, creating community and enhancing school pride wherever he served. His made sure the school buildings where he served were always bright and clean, and the grounds and playgrounds landscaped beautifully with annuals and perennials. He had a mind that retained incredible detail, and could tell you what was on each teacher’s bulletin board, the names and parent names of each student, the cafeteria menu from last month, and most likely what you were wearing as well as the weather the day he was introduced to you. He regarded his secretaries, teachers, maintenance team, and lunchroom staff as the heroes that they are. You could count on him to be in a coat and tie and to have a pocket full of mints and hard candy, often shared with the child who was having a rough day in the classroom or on the playground. During his Rock Creek days, many of the teachers referred to him as “Daddy,” and he loved it. 

Junior was a dedicated family man. He was a devoted husband to Sally; an engaged intentional Dad to Anne and Tommy; a doting Grandpa to Mac, Taylor, Sally, Jack and Wesley; and a beaming Great Grandpa to Wyatt. He demonstrated his love for family best in the superpower of “showing up strong”—he was at every ballgame, speech contest, school play, choral and band concert, academic team competition, award ceremony, recital, graduation, birthday party, and moving day. You never looked in the bleachers wondering “if” he was there, only where he was seated and cheering. 

Together with his wife Sally, he was a frequent host to their many friends and the kids’ friends in their welcoming home. Junior loved to hear a good story and even more to tell one. Whether you were the CEO or the cable guy, he made time and was always interested to know your hometown and county, and he had an uncanny ability to connect your story to either his own, something or someone familiar.

A Believer in Jesus Christ since childhood and active member at Okolona Christian in 1966 and then Southeast Christian Church in 1978, Junior loved being part of a church choir. He helped charter The Master’s Men at Southeast Christian Church, blending his love for ministry, music, and Christian brotherhood. Many of his deepest friendships were formed from his 42-year commitment to the Master’s Men, performing at many churches and events, and serving in their mission trips to Cuba. Junior was also honored to serve with Hopeful Hearts in the Ukraine. 

In recent months, Junior openly longed for reunion with many who have gone before him to be with the Lord, and what a reunion that is even now! “We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8. 

Fonrose is preceded in death by his beloved wife Sally Ann 1987; an infant daughter Heather Sue 1962; three brothers—Thomas Harold 1989, Francis LeRoy 2010, Robert Wilson 2016; two sisters--Bonnie Olene Alvey 1971 and Patsy Jean Winkle 1992. 

Mr. Wortham is survived by his children, Anne Wegert and Tom Wortham; grandchildren, Mac (Rachel) Wortham, Taylor Wortham, Sally Jean Wegert, Jack Wegert, Wesley Wegert; and great grandsons, Wyatt Wortham and Jack Porter Wortham. 

Visitation will be from 10am to 1pm Monday, December 23, 2024 at Chapel in the Woods, 1407 Moser Road, Louisville, Kentucky 40299.  A celebration of Mr. Wortham's life will be 1pm Monday at Chapel in the Woods, with burial to follow in Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville, Kentucky.

Memorials may be made to White Mills Christian Camp, White Mills Christian Camp or Hopeful Hearts Foundation Hopeful Hearts Foundation. 

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