HENDERSON, CALIF.—Stewart Worden, who spent many years as a carpet retailer in San Diego; Spokane, Wash., and Portland, Ore., died May 11 from complications of diabetes. He was 86.

Born Sept. 27, 1922, and nicknamed Junior, he attended the University of Colorado, where he was honored as an All-American in football. He transferred to San Diego State University, graduating with a bachelor’s in engineering and later entered the Navy as a Seabee during World War II. Upon returning to San Diego, he joined his father’s business, Worden Flooring, and worked there until the early 1970s.

In 1972, Worden married Genelle Smyd and moved to the Northwest to pursue their growing Stretch-n-Sew business. In the early ’80s, Worden also owned a Carpeteria store in Portland, Ore., and later worked with ProSource in Las Vegas.

After many years being self-employed, he moved to Nevada and partnered with his son in the construction business, forming W&W Enterprises.

His daughter, Lynda, who worked in his retail stores, said of her stepfather, “He was a great salesman and always enjoyed meeting and talking to people.”

Worden is survived by his wife of 37 years, Genelle; sister, Shirley Estes; children Lenora Hutchins, Greg Worden, Bill Worden, Scott Worden and Suzie Martinez; stepchildren Lynda Lampshire-Grebe, Milton Smyd and Geri Smyd; 14 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Diabetes Association Research Foundation or the Odyssey Healthcare Harbor House of Las Vegas.