Bernard Wells Gorman, the son of LeRoy Earl and Jettie Pearl (Wells) Gorman, was born, the first of five children, in Mannington, West Virginia on June 3, 1905. Always a lover of books and language, Bernard was drawn at an early age to question everything. He was on the debate team in high school and college. He worked in the oil fields in West Virginia and Texas to put himself through school. After moving to Lyons, Kansas, Bernard operated a pumping station 12 hours a day through the dust storms of 1935.

While living in Lyons, he met and married Marjorie Harmon, his wife of 72 years. Although World War II was raging in 1942, the young couple moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where Bernard could realize his dream of becoming a lawyer. However, shortly after enrolling in Kansas City University Law School, his draft number came up. Having heard that the army needed petroleum pipeline personnel, he enlisted instead, and spent his duty building pipeline and installing pumps in North Africa. After being discharged from the army, he returned to Kansas City to finish law school. After graduation, the couple moved to Tarkio, Missouri, where Bernard started his law practice, eventually becoming the Atchison County prosecuting attorney. He occasionally taught courses in political science, business law, and argumentation and debate at Tarkio College. He retired from his law practice in 1994 at age 89. Bernard passed away on June 17, 2009 in St. Louis Park, Minnesota at the age of 104 years.

A loving husband and father, he is survived by his wife, Marjorie, 4 children, Bill, Pat, Becky, and Wells, 5 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, and 2 brothers.

He will be missed.

Services: 10:30 am, Monday, June 22, 2009 at the Tarkio Presbyterian Church, Tarkio.
Interment: Home Cemetery, Tarkio.
The family will receive friends in the Presbyterian Church basement following the interment from 12:00 to 1:00 pm.
Memorials may be directed to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Services: Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio.