Gerald Warner Gorman

Gerald Warner Gorman was promoted to Glory September 24, 2016 after a valiant battle with leukemia. Gerald was born on May 30, 1933, to Bessie Adele Warner Gorman and William Shelton Gorman, Sr. in North Kansas City, MO. Services to honor Gerald’s memory will be held at the Avondale United Methodist Church, 3101 NE Winn Road, at 4:00 PM Wednesday, September 28, 2016, with a reception immediately following in the church’s Fellowship Hall.

Gerald graduated from North Kansas City High School as valedictorian and went on to Harvard College on a National Scholarship, becoming the first Northlander to Attend Harvard University. He graduated from the College cum lude in 1954 and from Harvard Law School, magna cum laude in 1956. Gerald also completed graduate studies at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, 1957-58. He was admitted to the bars of Missouri, Supreme Court of the United States, U.S. Circuit Court for the Eighth Circuit, U.S. Court of Claims, U.S. Tax Court, and was a member of the Missouri Bar, Tle Lawyers Association of Kansas City, (President, Junior Section, 1960, Executive Committee 1968-1971). Gerald served as chairman of the 7th Judicial Circuit Citizens Committee from 1982-1984.

Gerald served on active duty in the United States Army from 1956 to 1958, continuing thereafter in the United States Army Reserves, from which he was discharged as a Captain in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps in 1968.

In 1963 Gerald became a partner in the firm that became Dietrich, Davis, Dicus, Rowlands, Schmitt, & Gorman. Following the merger of that firm with one from St. Louis, Gerald left in 1990 to become a director of Slagle, Bernard & Gorman, P.C.

Gerald’s community involvement includes memberships in the Citizens Association Board of Governors since 1962, including various terms as an officer, and the Citizens Bond Committee of Kansas City since 1973. Gerald was chairman of the Downtown Council’s Task Force for the reconstruction of Allis Plaza, 1983-85. He was a trustee of the Kansas City Museum (1967-1982) and has served on the board of directors of the Spofford Home, the Clay Platte Y, the Clay County Disabilities Board, and the Clay County Economic Development Commission. Gerald served on the fundraising committees of the Northland and Children’s Fountains and co-chaired the fundraising for the Ilus W. Davis Sculpture.

Gerald’s awards include honors from Iowa University for outstanding legal support and from the Kansas City Police Retirement System for 37 years of service. Gerald received the Northland Community Foundation’s Pinnacle Award in 2013, was inducted into the North Kansas City High School Hall of Fame in 2007 and was Zona Rosa’s Grand Marshall in 2013.

Gerald was a member of the Avondale United Methodist Church since 1960 and served as Chairman of the Trustees for 30 years. Gerald was a member of the Kansas City Country Club, The River Club, The National Golf Club of Kansas City and Old Pike Country Club.

Gerald was married to his childhood sweetheart, Anita B. (McPike) Gorman, and had two daughters: Guinevere Eve Royle (Michael John) and Victoria Rose Jacoby (James Oswald, Jr.). The grandchildren are Michelle McPike Royle, Zack Warner Royle, Adele McConnell Royle, James Gorman Jacoby, and Katheryn Louise Jacoby.

Gerald’s parents and his sister, Colleen Adele Gardner, preceded him in death. Gerald is survived by his brother, William Shelton Gorman, Jr. In lieu of flowers, donations in Gerald’s memory may be made to the North Kansas City School District’s Foundation at 2000 NE 46th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64116

Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.mcgilleyantiochchapel.com as arrangements are under the direction of McGilley Antioch Chapel, 3325 NE Vivion, 816-453-7700