James Gorman

James Patrick “Jim” Gorman of Westport, WI died August 8, 2026, at Agrace Hospice Care, Fitchburg, Wisconsin. Jim was born July 19, 1960, in Rockford, Illinois, the son of Donald Edward and Mary Virginia “Gin” (Doyle) Gorman.

Jim attended St. Bernadette grade school and graduated from Boylan Catholic High School in Rockford in 1978. He later graduated from the Wisconsin School of Electronics. He enjoyed a successful career in the information technology field. At the time of his death, he was employed as an Advisory Systems Engineer at Dell.

Jim married Lynn Langum in Madison, Wisconsin on October 4, 2002. They were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Rachael Faye in 2004. Together they built a loving fun filled home and family.

He was so proud of his daughter Rachael. He instilled his carpentry skills in her by taking her to Home Depot each month for the Kids Workshops. Later he’d find Rachael in his garage checking out tools and he would ask what she was trying to do. They would work on whatever it was together.

Jim was passionate about life and always willing to lend a hand. Point in check, he drove Rachael to school every day until Rachael got her driver’s license. There was an older crossing guard and one morning he had a health emergency and Jim pulled over, got him help and proceeded to pitch in and be the crossing guard. That’s Jim in a nutshell.

Jim loved to cook and entertain. For years he and a group of friends hosted a popular tailgate party before the UW Badgers home football games. In 2004 Jim was asked to enter a Food Network tailgate challenge. He won the competition with his famous brats and gained bragging rights forever. Subsequently Jim continued to perfect his grilling and smoking skills in his outdoor kitchen that Lynn designed and had built for him. He even developed his own spice blend.

Jim was extremely talented in most all forms of construction including carpentry, plumbing and electrical. As he grew up he watched and learned these skills from his dad. He loved telling the story of how he switched out a motor on their dryer when he was 8 years old. The other story was when he was 16 years old and one day his dad said he had a new motor coming and that Jim had to pull the old car motor and then connect the new one. He claimed he couldn’t and his dad simply started naming the steps and asking if Jim knew each one and he did. So, his dad said well, get to it then, the engine will be delivered later this afternoon. He was generous with his time and talents and was always willing to help family and friends.

Jim is survived by his wife, Lynn; his daughter Rachael Faye; sisters Mary Gorman, Martha  (the late Michael) Hogan and Kathleen Gorman; brother and sisters in-law, Scott and Cathy Langum and Andrew and Colleen Langum; numerous nieces and nephews, grandnieces and nephews and cousins; and many, many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Don & Mary Virginia; his brother John W. Gorman; and his mother-in-law Faye Langum. Jim was much loved and will be missed by all.

A visitation will be held at Ryan Funeral Home, 6924 Lake Road, DeForest at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, August 30, 2026 until the time of the service at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Agrace 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711. On-line condolences can be made at  www.agrace.org.