Eugene Worley

Worley was born on October 10, 1908, in Lone Wolf, Oklahoma. He moved to Shamrock, Texas, in 1922, attending the public schools. He attended the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (now Texas A&M University) in 1927 and 1928, and the University of Texas School of Law from 1930 to 1935. He was admitted to the bar in 1935 and entered private practice in Shamrock from 1935 to 1941. He was a member of the Texas House of Representatives from 1935 to 1940. He was a United States representative from Texas from 1941 to 1950. He was a lieutenant commander in the United States Naval Reserve during World War II from 1941 to 1942, while a Member of Congress.[1][2]

Worley won the Democratic primary nomination following a mass campaign including many high school students.[3] He was elected to the 77th United States Congress and reelected to the four succeeding Congresses and served from January 3, 1941, until his resignation April 3, 1950.[1] He served as Chairman of the Committee on Election of President, Vice President, and Representatives in the 78th United States Congress.[1] In the 1948 general election, Worley handily defeated the Republican Party nominee, Texas historian and rancher J. Evetts Haley, who ran for governor as a Democrat in 1956 and then returned to the GOP to support Barry M. Goldwater in 1964.

Worley's most notable electoral opponent during his Congressional years was LaMarr Bailey, a World War II veteran who ran as an anti-New Dealer. Bailey campaigned around the district on a horse.[4] Bailey lost the Democratic Primary to Worley in 1944.

Worley was nominated by President Harry S. Truman on February 24, 1950, to an Associate Judge seat on the United States Court of Customs and Patent Appeals vacated by Judge Charles Sherrod Hatfield. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 8, 1950, and received his commission on March 9, 1950. Worley was initially appointed as a Judge under Article I, but the court was raised to Article III status by operation of law on August 25, 1958, and Worley thereafter served as an Article III Judge. His service terminated on April 30, 1959, due to his elevation to be Chief Judge of the same court.[2]

Worley was nominated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on March 25, 1959, to the Chief Judge seat on the United States Court of Customs and Patent Appeals vacated by Judge Noble J. Johnson. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on April 29, 1959, and received his commission on April 30, 1959. He was a member of the Judicial Conference of the United States from 1961 to 1972. He assumed senior status due to a certified disability on June 26, 1972. His service terminated on December 17, 1974, due to his death.[2]

Grave of Worley at Columbia Gardens Cemetery

Worley resided in Arlington County, Virginia during his court service. He died on December 17, 1974, in Naples, Florida. He was cremated and his ashes interred at Columbia Gardens Cemetery in Arlington County.[1]

• United States Congress. "Eugene Worley (id: W000744)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• "Worley, Francis Eugene - Federal Judicial Center". www.fjc.gov.

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

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