GORHAM, James Woodrow (Woody)

James Woodrow (Woody) Gorham, of Phoenix, died Thursday night, December 21, 2000. He was born on a farm near Pattonsburg, MO on January 19, 1918, the second child of James Oato Gorham and Grace Parrish. In 1919 the family moved to a farm near Huron, SD, where late in 1920 Grace died. Four years after his father's re-marriage in 1924, the family moved to a farm near Plato, Missouri, where James Woodrow grew to manhood. In 1935 he left high school and joined the Civilian Conservation Corps. At age 19 he returned to the Plato, MO area and on June 28, 1940 was married to Questa Alveta Royster. Only a few months ago they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. To this marriage were born two children: Judy Grace Gorham and James Woodrow Gorham, Jr. From 1941 to 1947 James Woodrow Gorham worked in a variety of increasingly responsible engineering jobs, except for 16 months during which he and his wife, Questa, operated a general store in Plato, Missouri. In June 1947 he went to work for the Missouri State Highway Department where through study and hard work he advanced steadily through the ranks to the position of Resident Engineer. On August 31, 1981 he retired after successful oversight of millions of dollars of highway and bridge construction projects throughout southwestern Missouri, particularly in the Carthage and Monett areas. Thirteen years later, he and Questa moved to Phoenix. Beloved by his family and respected by all who knew him, James Woodrow Gorham is survived by his wife Questa, daughter Judy and her husband Ron Ridgway, son James, Jr. and his wife Marian Noel, granddaughter Rhonda Renee Ridgway Bohult and husband Stefan, granddaughter Nancy Kay Ridgway Willams and husband Tyrone, granddaughter Julie Lynn Ridgway Cathers and husband Rick, grandson James Woodrow ('Jamie') Gorham III, 12 great grandchildren, half-sister Faye Gorham Moore and half-sister Jane Gorham Pata. He was preceeded in death by his brother Floyd Lyle Gorham, his half-sister Lila Mae Gorham Alden, and his grandson Douglas Andrew Ridgway. Private arrangements by Hansen Mortuary with inurnment at Hansen Desert Hills Memorial Park. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Parkinsons Foundation 222 W Thomas Rd. #209 Phoenix, AZ 85013. The Arizona Republic 12/27/2000
Posted by Pat Wilson on October 31, 2011

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