Sweetwater Jaycees Honor Jim Wortham

The Sweetwater Jaycees tonight honored the memory of Jim Wortham with the presentation of a Special Lifetime Achievement Award to the Wortham family and to the Sweetwater Municipal Auditorium Board.  The presentation took place during the annual Miss Snake Charmer Queen Pageant of the World’s Largest Rattlesnake Round-Up.  The pageant has been an anchoring event at the Auditorium since the 1982 start of the renovation project.  The 2004 pageant was the first in more than 20 years that did not include Jim’s active technical participation.

The Jaycees’ honorary award was inscribed with the memorial salute:

James Harland (Jim) Wortham

1955-2003

In recognition of his lifetime of commitment to the Sweetwater Municipal Auditorium, to the cultural enrichment of Sweetwater, and for his tireless efforts on behalf of the Sweetwater Jaycees’ Annual “Miss Snake Charmer” Queen pageant for more than 20 years.  His energy, dedication, creativity, and spirit were an example and an inspiration to all, and we will strive to continue his legacy of community service and vision.

Jim’s wife, Ann, accepted the Special Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of the Wortham family.  Larry Ludlum, president of the Auditorium Board, accepted an identical plaque for the Board, and the Auditorium’s plaque will be on permanent display at the Sweetwater Municipal Auditorium.

The World’s Largest Rattlesnake Round-Up (www.RattlesnakeRoundup.com) has been a Sweetwater tradition since the 1950s, and the Miss Snake Charmer pageant has been a feature since the 1960s.  Jim’s parents – Glenn and Betty Wortham – have both been awarded Lifetime Membership status in the United States Jaycees for their distinguished leadership roles in the Sweetwater and Texas Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) chapters.