Raymond Charles Gorman, Sr.

Raymond Charles Gorman, Sr., of Overland Park, Kansas passed away on Sunday, August 13, 2017, in the presence of family members. Ray lived most of his life in the Kansas City area. He was known for his willingness to help his neighbors, and would stop to aid stranded motorists. He could fix almost anything, especially anything electrical or electronic. Ray grew up in Gloucester City, NJ, in the 1920s and 30s. He has a twin sister, Regina, with whom he was very close. He joined the US Navy during WWII in 1943, and served in both the Atlantic and Pacific theatres. Honorably discharged in 1946, he moved to Kansas City, where he studied at what is now DeVry University, to be an electronics technician. Ray met his future bride, Agatha Cecilia Muckenthaler, at a softball game and they went on to have ten children, eight of whom are still living and are all successful college graduates (Michael/Linda, James/Yvonne, Janet Robinson/Dan, Kathleen Scandary/Robert, Diane Gillespie/Scott, Patricia Vidrine/Drake, Raymond, Jr./Susy, Robert/Cecilia). He is survived by many nieces and nephews in Gloucester and around the country. He was a beloved grandfather. Ray had an incredible memory and he could recite details about the lives of each of his 24 grandchildren and his 11 great grandchildren. Because of his exceptional memory and his love of conversation, it was usually hard to get in the last word with Ray. He was proud of Kansas being the breadbasket of the nation, and he loved to help out at his father-in-law’s farm near Paxico. Ray took the honor flight to Washington, DC; amazed and pleased that former Senator Robert Dole came out to greet the veterans personally. He loved his faith, the Catholic church, and was very generous to the church. A perpetual optimist, he conveyed a can-do spirit to everyone he knew. He always found a way to do what needed to be done. He will be missed.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 am on Thursday, August 17th at Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 7023 W 71st St, Overland Park, KS. Visitation will be before mass at 9:30. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Poor of Jesus Christ Franciscans www.franciscanspjc.org. Condolences may be left at www.mcgilleyhoge.com.