Reginald Glenn Wortham Sr.
A coward dies a thousand times, a soldier dies but once. (2pac)
Thank you for your service
Reginald served in the armed forces. We honor that service here.
Reginald Glenn Wortham Sr. was the 10th child and twin born to proud parents Albert Lee Wortham and Alice Mae Thomas on May 11, 1956 in Sacramento CA. He received his education at local schools in Sacramento attending Morey Ave and Del Paso Elementary, Las Palmas Jr High and a 1974 graduate of Norte Del Rio Senior High. After high school Reggie extended his education with 2 years of community college. Afterwards he decided to serve his country and enlisted in the United States Army where he served for several years until he received an honorable discharge.
Reggie accepted Christ at a young age and has always been grateful to God for sparing his life and giving him a second chance to live in 1995. He would be the first to tell you, he made some bad choices in life, but never let that define him or count him out. He made the choice every day to make the best out of any situation; (lemonade made from lemons). This attitude helped him aspire to be the greatest version of himself. Reggie was always Reggie, never putting on airs or trying to be someone he wasn’t. He was funny, loved to laugh and make everyone around him laugh and feel special. He possessed a spirit that overflowed with kindness to others whom he often considered before himself.
Reggie was well known in the city. Especially these last 20 years as the Panhandler at “his spot” …. the median at Howe Avenue and Alta Arden Way, the place he named the “Runway”. There he was greeted and supported by many passing by and offering him a donation to help support his day to day living. But mostly, he viewed this as his job, an opportunity to bring blessings and joy to thousands...
Sharing with people to “Live everyday like it’s your last…. Enjoy your life.… Try to make something of yourself… Try to be somebody”. He saw everyone as an equal and let everyone know they mattered. He also made his daily rounds and checked on the employees of the businesses near the “Runway”, encouraging and putting smiles on their faces. His message resonated, and the lasting impressions have been shared by many.
Reggie loved fast cars, sports, camping and fishing. On family camping trips, he was known as the Catfish Master and would remind everyone nobody could catch a bigger Catfish than him and of course the size of the fish grew with time. His greatest love was his children and grandchildren. He would brag about how wonderful they were to anyone who would listen. His message to them … This world is not promised to anybody, make the best of it, do your best, forgive others and remember, we are all God’s children.
Reggie was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Dora Mae Walker, James A. Blue, Alfonso McFee, Alice Redmond and Andrew Jackson Sr.
He leaves to cherish his memory: seven children, Reginald Wortham Jr. (Eunease), Michael Wortham, Joshua Wortham, Regina Newman (Gary), Aaron Wortham (Tina), Christopher Wortham & Leah Wortham; eighteen grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren; four siblings, Lucille Davis, Darlene Benjamin, Doretha Gray and twin Debrae Bownes, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
Reginald’s life, in a printed book
We design every page from Reginald’s 39 photos. Make it yours, then order a copy for everyone who loved Reginald.
Documentary by Sasha Leahovcenco
Remembering Reggie Wortham | Beloved Sacramento panhandler dies at 65
The world Reginald knew
Family milestones in gold, history for context
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