James Allen Gorham, 78, of Bemidji, passed away Thursday, November 11, 2021 at his home.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, November 18, 2021 at St. Philip’s Catholic Church, Bemidji. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, November 17, 2021 at Olson-Schwartz Funeral Home with a 7 p.m. rosary and prayer service. Visitation will also be 1 hour prior to the service at the church.
Born on May 27, 1943 in Anoka, MN James was the son of Thomas John and Ethel Anna (Reilly) Gorham. James attended St. Stephens Catholic School in Anoka through the 8th grade and received his GED while in the United States Army. From May 27, 1960 to May 15, 1963 Jim served our nation in the Army and was honorably discharged. Jim married Carolyn Esther Jerome on June 18, 1966 at St. Stephen’s Church, Anoka. The two raised a daughter, Rochelle Mary Gorham who married Rachid Mougni in 2008 and have two girls of their own: Rayna and Salma. In the summer of 1969 Jim began work for 3M and retired from there in 1999. He held numerous sales and marketing positions. The last ten years at 3M he worked in product sales and marketing management with in the Photographic Products Division. Hobbies for Jim included woodworking, photography, hunting and fishing.
He is survived by his wife, Carolyn of Bemidji; daughter, Rochelle, son-in-law, Rachid; granddaughters, Rayna and Salma all of Faribault; nephew, Kris Joseph Erickson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Ethel Gorham; sister, Janice Janette Erickson; brother John Thomas Gorham; brother-in-law, Edgar Erickson and nephews Kevin Erickson and Kim Erickson.
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