Norman Lewis Gourley

Norman Lewis Gourley

Blanco, Texas

On November 7, 2025, Norm passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family. He will be dearly missed.

Norm was born July 30, 1943. He was the 6th child of ten children (four boys and six girls) born to his parents, Warren Wilburn “Buck” Gourley and Lillie Hilda (Jonas) Gourley. He was the second child to be born in the hospital that was once the Blanco County Courthouse. He was delivered by Dr. JJ Flannery.

Norm grew up in Blanco, Texas-graduate Class of 1962. In 1964, Norm was drafted by the military and proudly served in the US Army. In 1965, he married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Gayle (Mazurek) Gourley. Norm began working for Texas Department of Transportation (TX Dot) in 1966, retiring after thirty-six years. After retiring, he owned a vending machine business, servicing local businesses in Blanco and Johnson City.

Norm was a kind and loyal family man. He and his wife, Gayle Gourley, raised seven children together in Blanco, Texas. They were married thirty-four years before her passing.

Norm loved living on his G-Bar 9 Ranch. He watched over family, kids, animals, and a huge garden over his time there. He loved to drive his truck and spent so much time driving his Gator all over the ranch.

He loved to bowl at the Blanco Bowling Alley with his friends and family. His team won a Championship and he was inducted into the Nine Pin Bowling Hall of Fame by the Blanco Bowling Club in 2018.

He loved going country dancing with his friends. He met his second wife, Barbara Ratliff, out dancing. She loved to dance too. They were married in Blanco, Texas in January 2006 and were married almost twenty years before his passing. He was a good husband to her and she lovingly took care of him when he needed it the most.

Norm was beloved. He had an easy-going personality and a good sense of humor. His nickname was “Stormin’ Norman”, given to him by his friends because he had a presence that would make you laugh and feel cared for.

Norm is survived by his wife, Barbara Gourley, his seven children-Amy Kathleen, Jill Marlene, Joel Shannon, Sara Frances, Travis Patton, Betsy Gayle, Eben Stewart and their families. By his eleven grandchildren-Johnny, Quinnlin, Dylan, Hannah, Ty, Makenna, Michael, Jenna, Josie, Tessa, and Sofia. And by his six great grandchildren-Stori, Truly, Elodie, Austin, Abigail, and John Clyde.

Norm was a faithful believer in God and will be welcomed with open arms into Heaven.

He is survived by five sisters- Dorothy Troppy, Evelyn Weber, Caroline Milam, Jan Olfers, and Pam Maddox.

He is proceeded in death by his parents, Lillie and Warren Gourley, his first wife Gayle Gourley, one sister-Hazel Calhoun and three brothers-Mike Gourley, Eb Gourley, and Tom Gourley.

Memorial Service will be held at the First Baptist Church in Blanco, Texas on Thursday, November 20, 2025 at 2:00 pm. Reception immediately following at the Fellowship Hall at the church.