John Alfred Gorman

John Alfred Gorman, age 89, of Chapel Hill, passed away peacefully on December 2, 2025 at UNC Hospitals with family members by his side.

Born on September 22, 1936, in Winterville (Pitt County), North Carolina, John was the son of the late Elizabeth Forbes Gorman and Richard Wright Gorman. He grew up working on his family’s tobacco farm, enjoying the beach, and riding his pony.

John graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a PhD in Clinical Psychology and later taught there as a faculty member. He was one of the first state-licensed clinical psychologists in North Carolina and the first child psychologist in Chapel Hill. Over his 45+ years as a therapist, John’s work touched the lives of hundreds of children, adolescents, college students, adults, and families. He also shared his time and wisdom with public school counselors and the many early-career psychologists he mentored.

As a life-long, diehard Carolina Tar Heels fan, he attended all home basketball and football games, where he energetically supported his team and offered his opinions concerning the opposing team and the accuracy of the officiating from his seat in the stands. For decades, he followed the Tar Heels to tournaments and bowl games across the country.

John also had a great passion for Arabian horses. He and his family started Twin LL Arabians and Brasswood Arabians where his daughter Libby boarded and trained horses, taught riding lessons, and took her many customers to perform in horse shows. He was a highly respected Horse Show Judge in the Arabian Horse community with judging credentials for several other breeds. He also showed horses himself in In-hand Halter classes.

Active within his community, John was an MYF leader in his church and a long-time member and former president of the Chapel Hill Rotary Club. He served as president of the NC Arabian Horse Association and as a member of the International Arabian Horse Association.

John is survived by his wife, Lynn Williford, of Chapel Hill; his twin daughters Elizabeth (“Libby”) Williams and Lynne Gorman of Chapel Hill and their mother Ms. Betty Gorman; his brother Richard Gorman (Linda), his niece Margaret Diab (Stephen), and nephew, Richard Gorman, Jr. (Christie), all of New Bern; and his Williford in-laws in Person County. In addition to his parents, John was predeceased by his son-in-law Tony Williams and grandson Michael Williams.

An open celebration of life will be held at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, December 17 at Walker’s Funeral Home, 11680 US Highway 15-501, Chapel Hill, NC 27517, followed by fellowship with family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, John’s daughters encourage donations in honor of their father to the Arabian Horsemen’s Distress Fund, or to the Alzheimer’s Association or another charity of your choice.

The family wishes to express its heartfelt thanks to Native American Angels’ owner Ms. Linda Oxendine and the devoted caregivers who made it possible for John to continue living in the familiar comfort of his Chapel Hill home during the last few months of his life.