Leland "Lee" M. Gorman

Leland Martin Gorman, West Des Moines, passed away at Mercy Hospice in Johnston on Wednesday, April 14, 2010. Lee was born November 5, 1927 in Oskaloosa, Iowa to Leland M. and Lucille J. (Edwards) Gorman. A graduate of Oskaloosa High School he attended Drake University following discharge from the United States Marine Corp. Lee retired in 1989 from the United States Postal Service where he was a letter carrier for 30 years. He was Chef at the former Vic’s Tally Ho, then worked private parties at Des Moines Golf and Country Club for many years as a second job.

Lee was a member of Westkirk Presbyterian Church, National Association of Letter Carriers and Oskaloosa Masonic Lodge #644 where he was a 50 plus years member. As the owner of Peguses Stables, he enjoyed thoroughbred horse racing, traveling to race tracks around the United States, and was the proud owner of a horse nominated for the Kentucky Derby. Lee also enjoyed playing poker, having coffee at the Bridgewood Clubhouse and going on forty-nine cruises, enjoying especially the Caribbean, with his wife, friends and family members.

Lee is survived by his loving wife, Patricia; daughter Janet Andruss (Greg Roush) of Des Moines; step-daughters, Sandy (Dick) Heck of West Des Moines, Shari (David) Hankins of Ankeny, Cyndy (Joe) Cross of Wichita, Kansas; son John (Cyndy) of Oskaloosa; step-sons, Les (Rexanne) Leonard of Urbandale, Ed Leonard of Jacksonville, Florida, Mike (Linh) Leonard of Corona, California, Tim Leonard and Randy Leonard of Waukee, Andy Leonard (Patty Katzenberger) of Des Moines, Jeff Leonard of Windsor Heights, Ken (Diane) Leonard of West Des Moines, Ray Croll of Hastings, Minnesota; 28 grandchildren; 6 foster grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.

Proceeding him in death were his parents; daughter Mary Lynn Gorman; sister Sherry Williams; grandchildren, Kristina Heck and Matthew Heck; and wives, Ruth and Dorothy.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 17 at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines from 6 to 8 pm with family present. A private service for the family will be held at Westkirk Presbyterian Church. Burial will take place at Resthaven Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Westkirk Presbyterian Church, 2700 Colby Woods Drive, Urbandale 50322 or Mercy Hospice, 5820 Winwood Drive, Johnston 50131.

Condolences may be made at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

Print