Obituary: Gary Dean Gorman, 86, Hood River

Gary Dean Gorman passed way peacefully on Oct 28th, 2025. He was born in Fairfield, Iowa on Oct 21st, 1939. As a baby with his younger brother Jimmy, mother Wanda, grandmother Bessie, and aunt Erlene, the family drove to Seattle to join Gary’s father Jim. Jim worked for the Great Northern Railway and thought Seattle was a great place, especially as WWII was breaking out.

Gary graduated from Cleveland Highschool in 1957 and entered the Army afterwards. He was stationed at Fort Ord, California.

After his military service, Gary returned to Seattle to do 5 years in the Army Reserve while attending the University of Washington. While there, he was in the Theta Delta Chi Fraternity and graduated with a degree in Business.

Gary spent over 40 years in the Ski and Wind Sport industry. He paved the way for the US Ski Team to have sponsors and was the primary reason Hood River Oregon became the Windsurfing Capital of the World. The town would not be what it is today without Gary Gorman. After he retired as a businessman, he became one of the top internet gurus in Hood River, working for Surplus Direct, then Egg Head Software. When his wife Lucy opened her flower shop, he became the flower delivery boy.

Gary married Lucy Margaret Clayton in 1988 at the legendary Pink Wedding and their son Maxwell Clayton Gorman was born in July 1990. Gary was so proud of Maxwell, and he adored his new daughter in-law Signe Larsen.

Gary is survived by his brothers Sam (Nancy) and Tim (Linda).

His brother Jimmy preceded him in death in 2023. Gary has many nieces and nephews: Michelle, Jennifer, Kathryn, Kristian, and Landon.

There will be Celebration of Life for Gary in May 2026. Date to be decided.

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center • 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.