Eugene Boswell Gorham, Jr.

Eugene Boswell Gorham Jr (Bos, EB, Dad, Granddaddy), of Venice, Florida passed away on May 25, 2024 at his home ending a wonderful life, so very well-lived. He was 89. Bos was born and raised in Fayette County, Lexington, Kentucky. He was a proud University of Kentucky Wildcat, graduating in 1956 as a Second Lieutenant US Army Reserves with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. He lived most of his adult life in Covington, Virginia, with his wife Gwen with whom he was married for 67 years.

Bos was known for his kindness, helpfulness, humor, and devoted his life to his family, friends, his work colleagues, serving his community and church. Bos was very active, along with Gwen, in Covington, VA’s First Presbyterian Church serving as a ruling elder, a member of multiple committees, and was a faithful member of the adult Sunday School classes even after moving to Venice, FL. When a career move took the family to Chester, VA, Bos was an elder at the Chester Presbyterian Church and Head Scoutmaster of the very active Troop 877 for many hikes, camping and canoe trips. His favorite saying was “we never lost a kid!”

Bos was a lifer with Westvaco beginning his career in 1956 at the Covington, VA Paper Mill. He was the Manager of the Bleached Board Division’s Technical Sales Service (TSS) organization, a role he held for the last 20 plus years of his career before retiring in 1997. Bos was an innovator, and on the leading development of the world’s globalization, cultivating technical international relationships. He was known for the ability to stay calm, think on his feet, and address issues at the moment and was widely respected.

Bos loved the outdoors, from the mountains to the bay and gulf waters. He ran, biked, or walked every day, and you could set a clock by it. He was an avid sailor and was fond of plying the waters of the Chesapeake Bay, Bogue Sound, and Sanibel. Bos and Gwen spent many relaxing days at their place on Gwynn’s Island, VA; and “snow birded” on Sanibel Island and with their daughter Beth on Manasota Key, Florida. Bos was also a life-long hunter and spent countless mornings chasing wild turkey.

After retirement in Covington, Bos and Gwen became loving “grandparents” to so many other families in the church and community and continued to volunteer for numerous charitable organizations.

Bos is survived by his daughter, Beth Clark of Manasota Key, FL; and son, Bo Gorham and his wife Robin of Big Pine Key, FL; three grandchildren, Mary Beth, and her husband Lt. Colonel Richard Grimberg, James Clark IV and his wife Lauren, and Dr. Laura Fischer and her husband Kyle; seven great-grandchildren, Will and Evie Grimberg; Heidi, James V, Mallory, and Axel Clark; and Lillian Fischer. Bos is also survived by his sister-in-law Margaret Shropshire and her family, and sister Joann Klatt’s family.

With Bos’ passing, the family so very much thanks the friendship and support of Mary Lou Levy, Sydna Zellif and Marie Houck.

Bos was preceded in death by his wife, Gwen Shropshire Gorham; father and mother, Eugene Boswell Gorham and Irene Evans Gorham; sister, Joann Klatt; brothers-in-law Mark Klatt and David Shropshire; and son-in-law, Jim Clark III.

In lieu of flowers, Bos preferred donations to be made to First Presbyterian Church, Covington, VA; Mt Horeb Presbyterian Church, Lexington, KY; The Boys Home, Inc. Covington, VA; or South Covington Food Pantry, Covington, VA.