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Richard (Dick) Benton Gormly, 71, met Jesus in all his glory on Sunday, August 28, 2022 at Northside Forsyth Hospital in Cumming, GA. His devotion to his family and strong and devout belief in God supported him in his final days. He was surrounded by his family as he went to his heavenly home.
Dick was born on March 29, 1951 in Jacksonville, FL, son of the late Raymond Erl Gormly and Doris Perdue Gormly. He graduated from Wolfson High School and attended Vanderbilt University where he was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity and the Naval ROTC program. Dick met the love of his life, Margaret Anderson Hooper, while at Vanderbilt. Upon Graduation in 1973, he was commissioned into the Navy the following day, and married to Margaret the next day almost 50 years ago.
Prior to moving to Cumming, GA in 2006, Dick served for 22 years in the United States Navy. He was stationed in numerous places across the globe and upon military retirement, he worked for Coggin Automotive Group in Jacksonville, FL as a Controller. While in the United States Navy, his focus was leading in the Supply Corps division and he spent time deployed to the Supply Office in the joint service program in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He served on the U.S.S. Roark, the U.S.S. Alwin, and the U.S.S Yosemite, and completed his service as an Executive Officer at Naval Air Station Jacksonville. During his tenure in the military, he earned his Masters Degree at the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, CA. He retired with military honors in 1995 with his highest rank achieved being that of Commander. Post Naval retirement, Dick also spent a season working for Neptune Baptist Church as the Business Administrator role at the church he and Margaret lovingly served and attended for the duration of their 15 years in Atlantic Beach, Florida.
Upon moving to Cumming, GA, Dick became the “Mary Kay Dad” to Margaret’s Mary Kay Unit of Consultants, handling all communication and financial affairs. He attended and faithfully served as a Deacon and Thriving in Jesus Connection Class Director at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church.
Dick’s love for Margaret in these last almost 50 years can only be described as a loving and biblical marriage. His love for her was evident at all times. Dick was blessed with two wonderful sons, Scott Benton Gormly and Anderson Reid Gormly, whom he jointly raised to love Jesus above all else. Dick was a faithful member of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church. He lived his life for Christ. Everyone who met him would certainly know this to be true.
Dick is survived by his wife, Margaret, his sons Scott (Lauren) Cumming, GA , Reid (Maggie) Carrollton, TX; his four grandchildren Elizabeth, Jefferson, Alice and Jacob; his brother, Robert “Bob” Gormly in Maggie Valley, NC; and his nephew Leigh Culpepper (Elaine) and their daughters Ashlynne and Jenna of Alpharetta, GA. He is preceded in death by his parents Raymond and Doris, and his aunts Isabel Gormly and Eleanor Campbell of Jacksonville, FL and his in-laws, Elizabeth “Bettye” Ann Kirby Hooper and Marion “Buddy” Anderson Hooper originally of Nashville, TN.
Dick will be cremated and laid to rest at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA in a graveside family service. His Celebration of Life with a reception to follow will be at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church located at 955 Johnson Ferry Rd. Marietta, GA on Monday, October 3rd at 1:00PM. For anyone who loved Dick Gormly, all are welcome at this Celebration of a Life well-lived.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to MARY KAY Cancer Foundation at http://marykayfoundation.org/donate or checks can be mailed to Mary Kay Ash Foundation, P.O. Box 799044 Dallas, Texas 753979. This fund raises and distributes funds to invest in breakthrough in cancer research and funds grants for domestic violence shelters in all 50 states. Alternatively, donations can be made to Johnson Ferry Global Missions at http://www.johnsonferry.org/default.aspx?page=4492and designate to Global Missions.
For anyone coming from out of town for the Celebration of Life on 10/3, please direct message Scott Gormly or Reid Gormly for additional information regarding an out of town gathering on 10/2. Reid can also be reached direclty at reidgormly27@gmail.com for anyone coming to the service from out of town who is not on Facebook.
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Ernest Jose Boada
RIP my old friend.Henry Bryant
Thanks to the Wolfson website, I have been able to reconnect with my friends from the Class of '69 who graduated from there even though I did not. After being born in Jacksonville and growing up in the St. Nicholas area, my family moved away in 1962 to join the US space program. Three years ago I found a picture of myself with my 4th grade classmates at Spring Park Elementary on this site. I have lived in Atlanta since FSU graduation in 1972 and found Dick living here too almost three years ago. Dick and I spoke on the phone and mostly emailed since he lived in the northern exurbs and I live intown. He was very busy as am I, but we finally got together for lunch midway between our houses. We picked up right where we left off over 50 years ago. I had emailed him again two weeks ago to set up another lunch date maybe this time with our wives. Unfortunately, instead, I got a call from his son from the hospital where Dick lay in his final hours. We had spent so much of our youth together in service to the school and community with the school patrol. There were sleepovers and birthday parties, too. I will always treasure those memories, but even more, I am thankful for the last two years of catching up. Rest easy old friend.
Robert Alexander [Bob] Stephenson
Dick and I visited Vanderbilt our senior year, both of us hoping to go on an NROTC scholarship. He won one, my Navy career was by another path. We never connected while on active duty, but did after we both retired. Was stunned when I saw this. Fair winds and following seas Dick.
Bob Stephenson CAPT USN (Ret).
Richard Dill Germain (Jr)
Dick may the angels in heaven cradle you with happiness and may this
happiness beam down to your family!
Nancy Elizabeth Brannon (Brant)
Such a beautiful testimony of a life well lived, devoted to all the best things. May God grant the family that he loved peace and comfort as they cherish their wonderful memories. Well done Dick.
Zondra Louise Tyre
Dick and I first met as students at Spring Park Elementary School. I'm remembering, with a smile, our time in Mrs. Horner's 5th grade class when she put us in a group for the year - for us to do "special, extra projects." There were 6 or 8 of us who got to go to the library together, explore books and ideas, and just generally be opened to a freedom to enjoy learning together. Dick's sense of direction and responsibility and leadership helped all of us to stay on track/ stay on task. I'm grateful to read of his "life well lived" and his varied, valuable contributions in using well the gifts God gave him. I celebrate and honor his life with gratitude and thanksgiving for having known him. There's a sense of hearing God welcome him with, "Well done, My good and faithful servant."
Jerry Alden Howalt
Sorry to hear about the passing of Dick. Knew him from our days at Spring Park when we we were School Boy Patrols in the fifth grade and standing at Beach Buld with Mrs Denmark . It was across from the Winn Dixie and we stowed our flages in the drYcleaners next doors. I bet Gary Hannon can remember us racing our bicycles around the traffic circle before going on duty. The next year my parents moved and I was on Patrol at San Jose with BOb Stevenson, Thompson, Mimi's, Grider and others. Condolences to all of Dick's family,! He was a great American and as a veteran I salute his service. Bob said it great as a Navy vet but as as a AF Figter pilot I give you a silent toast facing West,!
God Speed My Friend!
Jerry "HoHo" Howalt, Lt Col USAF (Ret)
Shirley Louise Atkins (Hartman)
When the date was announced for our 50th Reunion, Dick sent his regrets. That same date was also for his wife’s 50th Reunion and it was her turn this time.
But he very much joined in on the reunion celebration by sending grammar school classroom photos from Spring Park Elementary to post on our website. Bruce Barringer and Janet Gable joined in helping to identify the faces, many who were part of the Class of 1969.
A fitting tribute to a life well lived. And a life enjoyed. You stayed the course, Dick. God speed.
45th Reunion
Bruce Barringer
A Shirley mentioned, we all missed Dick at the 50th. He had a very good excuse. I enjoyed working with him on the Spring Park picture project. Since the 50th he and I have kept in touch via email. Earlier this year we made plans to get together the next time I was in Atlanta. At our age I guess you should not put things off for too long .....
His obituary is well deserved and indicative of a life well lived. He seved as a great example to his family, friends and all of us. You will be missed Dick.