Thomas M. Gorham

Thomas Marvin Gorham, aged 91, of Xenia, Ohio, passed away at home on September 21, 2024. Born on July 2, 1933, in Moberly, Missouri, Thomas was a devoted man of faith, a cherished family member, and a respected community member throughout his life.

Thomas graduated from Huntsville (Westran) High School and shortly thereafter served as a Sergeant in the Army during the Korean War. From 1952 to 1955, he was stationed as a surveyor in the Philippine Islands. After his military service, Thomas embarked on a career as a tile and marble setter in Des Moines, Iowa, where he worked until the mid-1980s. He also served as a paramedic with the Des Moines Fire Department until his retirement in 1988 due to disability. Later, he moved to Columbus, Ohio, to be closer to his family and continued working as a day porter until 2012.

Thomas was a man saved by God’s grace. He believed in the blood of Jesus Christ and trusted in the truth of John 3:16. He was an active member of the Grandview Park Baptist Church in Des Moines, Iowa, and later at Linworth Baptist Church in Linworth, Ohio. His dedication to church activities and Biblical study was a testament to his strong faith.

Thomas's love for his family was unwavering. He is survived by his children, Gerald and Brenda (Blass) Gorham and Julene Knudson; his grandchildren, Kayleigh (Gorham) and David Rich, Samuel Gorham, and Andrea Knudson; and his great-grandchildren, Alexa, Genevieve, and Elina Rich. He also leaves behind half-brothers Samuel and Dorman Gorham and numerous nieces and nephews across several states. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Carl and Clara Mae (Turner) Gorham; his beloved wife, Barbara Jean (Powell) Gorham; and his brother and sister-in-law, William Marlin and Patricia Sue (Robinson) Gorham; and son-in-law, Mark M. Knudson.

Thomas was an avid reader and lifelong learner. His love for historical nonfiction, biographies, and studying the Bible reflected his intellectual curiosity. He cherished time spent with friends and family, particularly his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and was known for his love of basketball and track and field during his school days. Thomas served the Lord by donating his time and talent as a tile setter for Iowa Regular Baptist Camp in Clear Lake, Iowa, and at various General Association of Regular Baptist Churches in central Iowa.

Thomas's life will be celebrated at Worthington Schoedinger in Worthington, Ohio. Visitation will commence at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, September 30, followed by the funeral service at 1:00 p.m. He will be laid to rest at Kingswood Memorial Park in Lewis Center, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, charitable gifts in memory of Thomas can be made to the Legacy Village Foundation, where he spent his final years. Contributions can be mailed to 695 Wycliffe Dr., Xenia, OH 45385, or submitted online at the specified website for Legacy Village.