Dale Owen Gorham

Dale Owen Gorham, 73, of Mediapolis, died at 1:10 AM Tuesday, June 8, 2021, at the Iowa City VA Medical Center as a casualty of Agent Orange.

Born July 6, 1947, in Kearney, NB, he was the son of Melvin LeRoy and Grace Viola Rice Gorham. On June 18, 1971, he married Pamela Glendening in Burlington, IA. 

He graduated from Mediapolis High School in 1965. 

He was a U.S. Air Force Veteran, serving during the Tet Offensive during Vietnam War and received the Bronze Star. Dale served two tours; 1968-1969 and 1969-1970. He served with the 554th and 555th Red Horse Squadrons with his brothers.

Dale worked as a heavy equipment operator for the Des Moines County Secondary Roads Department for 29 years.

He enjoyed being outdoors; fishing, trapping and hunting. He especially liked to coon, deer, fox and coyote hunt. Dale was known for his incredible ability to find deer sheds and mushrooms almost anywhere with his mushroom dog. He also enjoyed showing dogs. Most of all, Dale loved spending time with his family especially his grandbabies. 

Survivors include his wife, Pamela; daughter, Michelle Gorham of Peoria, IL; son, Joe (Nicole) Gorham of Mediapolis; four grandchildren: JD, Gabby, Gage and Mitchell, one great-grandchild on the way; brother, Norm (Laura) Jones of Kasson, MN; and two nephews: Todd Eric and Travis Edward Stonehouse.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter, Rachel Anne Gorham, and one sister, Virginia Lee Stonehouse. 

A Celebration of Life for Dale will be held on Sunday, June 13, 2021 from 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM at the Mediapolis City Hall. Full military honors will be rendered at 2:00 PM by the Burlington Area Veterans Honor Guard. 

Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh Crematory. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to support the Department of Neurological Sciences at Rush University Medical Center. Please send memorial gifts to Rush Office of Philanthropy, 28057 Network Place, Chicago, IL 60673-1280 or visit http://rush.convio.net/DGorham to make a gift online.

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