James Gorman

James Gorman

July 19, 1960 - August 08, 2026

Obituary

To view the livestream of Jim's funeral, please click the link to view: https://www.youtube.com/@ryanfuneralhomemadison7477

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.

 

 

Events

30
Visitation
Sun Aug 30, 2026 @ 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM CDT
Ryan Funeral Home • 6924 Lake Rd, Deforest, WI 53532
30
Memorial Service
Sun Aug 30, 2026 @ 1:00 PM CDT
Ryan Funeral Home • 6924 Lake Rd, Deforest, WI 53532
TS
Tony Sellers
Friend •
Jim and I were friends and coworkers for 38 years. He was a dear and loyal friend and a trusted advisor to many. To say that Lynn and Rachael were the light of his life, is an understatement. He will be dearly missed.
GS
Gina Seton
Friend •
So much tailgating fun!! We will think of you with every bratwurst!
LH
Laura Huie
Friend •
I was one of the producers of that infamous Food Network show and got to know Lynn and Jim during that journey. He made it so fun. I’ll never forget us traveling through the airport and he was worried about his brats going through the x-ray machine. All was well and he won the competition! He was so looking forward to being a father. I know he will be very missed. I’m glad I got to know him. Sending all my love and prayers. May the memories bring you peace.
LM
Lesley Matchett
Friend •
Kia Ora from Christchurch New Zealand I meet Lynn in Ireland while on Holiday 30 plus years ago and we have remained friends over the years it was so exciting when Lynn told me she was getting married to Jim and then the birth of their Daughter Rachael Kelvin and I were coming over to Las Vegas 12 years ago and we had the pleasure of their company it was such an amazing time for us Little Ole Kiwis coming to the USA Jim loved his cooking and he even sent over his famous Jims Steak Rub for the BBQ You were an awesome Husband Father Friend to all who knew Him Rest Easy Dear Jim you will always be in Our Thoughts
JM
john mayhall
Classmate •
Another proud member of the class of 78 Boylan High School. Jim had a great sense of humor and always put a smile on my face! RIP Jim
TG
Tom Gorman
Family •
Tom Gorman Being Jim's cousin and growing up in the same town I had the privilege of spending time with him in my youth and seeing him again through adult hood at family gatherings. He remained the same his entire life, good natured, kind, funny and full of life. Condolences to his wife and daughter and his sisters Mary, Martha and Kathy.

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