JAMES PATRICK GORMAN

January 4, 1933 - August 23, 2018

James Patrick Gorman, age 85, of Caledonia, died Thursday, August 23, 2018 at Caledonia Care and Rehab, Caledonia, after a long illness. James Gorman was born in Mississippi on January 4th, 1933,to James and Mary (McTague) Gorman. After traveling with his family, who moved around a great deal, his education was interrupted. He called his family Irish tinkers, traveling all of the time in a little trailer. They did remain in San Francisco for 10 years because WW2 began and the family was just stuck there. Jim and his brother, Bart, began traveling in the circus when he was a teen. He sang some in Vaudeville and did some tap dancing and playing the piano. He and his brother joined the circus doing whatever was asked of them that needed to be done. Some fun and much hard work before the circus moved on was required. Eventually all of the big circuses got the business and drove the little circuses out. In later teen years he caddied at Santa Barbara Golf Course for none other than Bob Hope. A memory he cherished and shared often. Jim came to Caledonia about 25 years ago with his brother, Bart. He loved the quietness of this small community. He took adult education from Mrs. Lois Day, learning to read, write and spell. This eventually led to his writing poetry of all kinds and songs as well. James is survived by two nephews, Bart and Joe Gorman. He is remembered fondly by friends who watched him walk his dogs, Dusty 1 and Dusty 2, down Main Street for exercise. He so appreciated the help given him by Houston County Public Health, his SEMCAC drivers and neighbors who did what they could for him when needed. He developed many friendships throughout his life. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Bart and his sister, Rosemary Gorman. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 am on Thursday, August 30 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Caledonia. Father Stephen Abaukaka will officiate. Visitation will be from 10-11 am at the church before the service. God bless the memory of James Gorman.