We are sad to announce the death of Dr. C. Worth Clinkscales of Tulsa, who left us on April 22nd, 2023, at 79 years old. We are thankful that he is now free from sickness and is rejoicing in Heaven with Robbi, his wife of 56 years.

Worth was a kind and loving soul whose calm demeanor and presence comforted many, and his sense of humor always brought a smile. He did not like sitting idle but would rather be doing something useful... usually serving others in some capacity...his family, his employees, his church, and those in need in Tulsa, where he spent the majority of his life.

Worth was born October 9, 1943 in Wichita, Kansas, the eldest son of Wilma Faye (Robinett) Cruzan and Silas Rushing Clinkscales. He graduated from Central High school in 1961, and afterwards studied Life Sciences at Tulsa University, earning a Bachelor's and Master's Degree. While in school, he began training at St. John's Hospital, to become their first inhalation therapist. He was eventually asked to join the staff at Saint Francis Hospital, to found their inhalation therapy program.

In 1965, Worth met the love of his life, Roberta Ann Heiman, a.k.a. "Robbi". They wed in Tulsa on December 17, 1966. Early in their marriage, Worth continued to pursue his education at the University of Oklahoma, earning a Ph.D. in Microbiology. He did his postdoctoral work in Microbiology at The University of Massachusetts Medical School. During this time, he also became a published author. His virology research was published in two peer-reviewed scientific publications, Virology and Journal of Virology.

He went on to become a professor of Microbiology at the Oral Roberts University Medical School. During his time there, he took a sabbatical to the Mayo Clinic, to learn a virus identification technique involving immunofluorescence and staining of monoclonal antibodies. After learning these techniques, he returned to Oral Roberts where he taught classes and ran the Microbiology lab for over ten years. Worth was also the first board-certified Clinical Virologist in the state of Oklahoma.

Eventually, Worth struck out on his own and started Vironostics Laboratories - a local laboratory focused on virus detection, providing laboratory services and viral expertise to physicians and hospitals in the Tulsa area. His beloved partner in life, Robbi, also became his partner in business. They successfully ran their laboratory for almost 25 years, until their retirement. They were extremely fortunate to have a deeply loving and supportive relationship. They stuck together through thick and thin, and cared for each other through 56 years of marriage.

Worth and Robbi were longtime members of Trinity Episcopal Church and later settled into the congregation of Christ Church Episcopal in South Tulsa, serving on their altar guild, and attending regular services there.

Worth was preceded in death by his wife, mother, and father. He is survived by his two sons and their families - the eldest, Damon Rushing Clinkscales, and his wife Sarah, and their two children, Maia and Evan; as well as his younger son, Joshua Lee Clinkscales, his wife Maria, their son, P.J., and his wife, Emily. Worth is also survived by his younger brother, S. Rushing Clinkscales and his wife Barb; his half-sister, Sharon Perkins; as well as many other extended family and friends.

The celebration of Worth's life will be held on Saturday, June 10th, 2023, at 10:00 AM, at Christ Church Episcopal, 10901 S. Yale Ave., Tulsa, OK 74137. His remains will be placed at Trinity Episcopal Church alongside Robbi's.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory, to Christ Church Episcopal or to organizations furthering our understanding of dementia.

Condolences for the family can be mailed to:
The Clinkscales
PO BOX 702661
Tulsa, OK 74170