James Woodrow Gorham IV

6-2-1996 4-29-2021

James was born in St Louis, Missouri on June 2, 1996, to Jamie & Tennille Gorham. Extremely energetic from a young age he enjoyed playing with his toys and any ball he could find in the house. His favorite outdoor activity was playing with the dogs, but mostly making a run for the gate and climbing it when no one was looking. On multiple occasions, we would find James hanging upside down by a shoestring that had caught the top of the chain-link. He attended daycare Downtown with his parent's blocks away attending Harris-Stowe State University. In a few years, James was accepted and attended Kenard Classical Jr. Academy where he excelled at Math and Science. His grandmother Glenda became his instant tutor and babysitter, the two had a loving and inseparable connection for years to come. In 2002 his little sister Kylie Anne Gorham came along, wherever she was that's where he wanted to be. His older brother of 5 years, James Anthony Gorham was in double trouble! The three were instantly bonded for life with years full of mischief, mayhem, and memories. In 2004 the family moved to Tampa, Florida specifically the Brandon/Valrico area. Attending Brooker Elementary, Burns Middle School, and then onto graduating from Bloomingdale High school in 2014. Playing youth football for several years, James transitioned into high school football like a champ. Playing cornerback and special teams he excelled while still finding time to play hockey at the Brandon Ice Rink on the weekends. Taking his senior year off from football James intensified his workout regimen to be in top shape for a major bodybuilding contest, better known and Mr. & Mrs. Bloomingdale. Placing as the top runner-up and co-champion with the trophy to prove it, truly a day to remember. The next Fall James was accepted into the engineering program at the University of South Florida and began living the dorm life. In between and sometimes during classes he enjoyed the beach life in Tampa amongst all his friends, the ones he knew and the ones he met that day. Traveling with family abroad and riding dirt bikes came in a close 2nd. James was violently taken from us all on April 29, 2021, here in Tampa, Florida. He leaves behind his mother and father, sisters and brother, Grandmother Glenda, Grandfather Michael, Grandma Anne and Gordon, Grandpa Jim and Marion, Uncles Michael Joplin and Anthony Joplin, very special girlfriend Jenna DiDomenico; and friends Nicholas Rodriguez, Ozzie Saez, Christopher Wonsley, Antonio Colon, Donovan Marshall, Meghan Kelley, Hali Hosemann and a host of other friends and relatives.

We little knew that morning,

God was going to call your name,

In life, we loved you dearly,

In death, we do the same,

It broke our hearts to lose you,

You did not go alone,

For part of us went with you

The day God called you home

Don’t grieve for me, for now, I’m free.

As mom and dad we’d be remiss not to reiterate the verse tattooed on his right ribcage that reads:

“Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil”