Lt. Col. Worth Russell McCue (Ret.) of Colorado Springs, Colorado passed away on Sept. 4th, 2023, from complications due to Parkinson’s disease. Worth was born in Mobile, Alabama on Apr. 6, 1940, to Worth S. McCue and Roberta Chamberlain McCue. At the age of 3 Worth’s father, a pilot in the US Army Air Corps, passed away after his plane malfunctioned. Worth’s single mother and grandparents raised him and his sister, Carol Ann, in Fairhope, Alabama near the shores of Mobile Bay. At an early age he seemed resolved to join the military and become a pilot, even having his new red tricycle painted a more proper olive green to demonstrate his commitment to a life of military service. He attended University Military School (UMS) – Wright Preparatory, in Mobile, Alabama, played a multitude of sports, and took the state title in tennis doubles. In 1957 Worth achieved one of his dreams and was admitted to the US Air Force Academy. It was during his time at the Academy he met the love of his life, Joan Hedge, through a blind date. He loved to tell the story of how exceptionally surprised and happy he was to be setup with such a beautiful, energetic young woman. After graduating from the Academy in 1961 with a degree in Engineering Science, Worth went on to pilot training and later became a flight instructor. His convenient status as a pilot and some considerable effort in arranging flights allowed him to manage a long-distance relationship with Joan, whom he ultimately married on Sept. 5th, 1965. They lived happily together, married 51 years until Joan’s death in 2016. Together they built a family and traveled the world. During Worth’s military service he logged over 10,000 hours of flying time, including a tour of South Vietnam where he flew 760 hours as a Forward Air Controller. After Vietnam he flew a variety of aircraft, but primarily F-4 fighter jets. Worth was known for remaining calm, balanced, and thoughtful in the most chaotic and stressful of circumstances. This was certainly an asset for him as he dealt with challenging situations and more than one significant mechanical problem that could have easily resulted in the loss of his plane and the loss of life. At home Worth was a loving father and husband who took his family on many adventures. To his sons he imparted values of determination, nerve, and compassion - consistent with the way he lived his life. He developed many strong, lifelong relationships with friends through his travels, the military, and his church, Calvary United Methodist. After retiring from the Airforce in 1981, he returned to Colorado Springs where he first met Joan and developed a second career in Computer Programming. Worth is preceded in death by his parents and his wife Joan. He is survived by his two sons Michael (Lori) McCue and Mark (Marcia) McCue, his sister Carol Ann (Jim) Gray and grandchildren Katherine, Alexandria, Arianna, and Carson. Services will be held on September 22nd at 10:00 am at the US AirForce Academy Cemetery followed by a service at 11:00 am at Calvary United Methodist Church, 4210 Austin Bluffs Pkwy., Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918. Flowers or donations may be sent to the church.
