Ralph Harold Gorham 1919-2001

GORHAM SAVAGE OLDHAM

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 11/10/2009 at 22:33:02

Sioux City Journal
5 June 2001

Soldier, Iowa--Ralph Harold Gorham, 81, of Soldier died Saturday, June 2, 2001, at Brookview Mamor in Brookings, SD.

Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Moorhead Christian Church in Moorhead, Iowa, with the Rev. John Eilers officiating. Burial will be in Jordan Cemetery, Soldier. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. today at Pearson Funeral Chapel in Soldier.

Mr. Gorham was born Aug. 2, 1919, in Willow Township, Monona County, Iowa, the son of Dwight Edward and Elizabeth Jeanette (Savage) Gorham. He graduated from Soldier Public School in 1937.

He married Elizabeth "Betty" Oldham on May 18, 1941, in Soldier. The couple farmed in the Soldier area. He founded and managed the Gorham Dam, officially known as Oldham Recreation Area.

He was a member of First Christian Disciples of Christ Church in Moorhead, where he served on the church board. He served on the Soil Conservation board and as Jordan Township clerk. He enjoyed woodworking.

Survivors include his wife; a son and his wife, Neal Ralph and LaQueta of Soldier; a daughter, Elizabeth "Liz" Gorham of Brookings; a daughter-in-law, Connie Gorham of Soldier; two grandchildren, Dan and Dawn Gorham; two great grandchildren; and a brother and his wife Kenneth and Lucille of Dunlap, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by a son, David Dwight; and a brother, Russell.

Memorials may be directed to Monona County Historical Society.