Matthias Joseph Gorham Junior

1936 - 2018

Matthias Joseph Gorham, Junior

Nashville - Dr. Matt Gorham, Jr. DDS, age 82, passed away April 18, 2018. A deeply loved husband, brother, father and grandfather, Matt was born March 14, 1936 in Des Moines, Iowa. He moved to Nashville shortly thereafter where he spent the rest of his life. He is preceded in death by both his parents, Matt and Penina Gorham. Matt leaves behind his beloved wife of 33 years, Nancy Rosamond Gorham, his sister Shirley (Paul) Rich, and his twin brother John (Kathie) Gorham, as well as his children Dr. Matt (Martha) Gorham III, Karen (Randy) Ableman, Bob (Katherine) Gorham and Tee (Dawn) Gorham as well as his step-children Allen (Nancy) Lindsey and Leigh Anne (Shonn) Farni. Dr. Gorham is also blessed with twenty-three grandchildren: Jody Gorham, Sarah Gorham, Charlotte Ableman, Samantha Ableman, Bo Gorham, Price Gorham, Mary Kate Gorham, Anna Frances Gorham, Nate Gorham, Alana Gorham, Katlyne Brewer, Blake Martin, Tommy Gorham, Faith Martin, Chase Gorham, Alyssa Lindsey, Kenneth Lindsey, Emma Lindsey, Zachary Farni, Keller Farni, Lindsey Claire Farni, Seth Farni and Lillie Farni.

Matt attended Father Ryan High School where he played football and was named to the 1954 All-City Team. After graduating that year, he went on to graduate from Xavier University in 1957, and St. Louis University Dental School in 1961. He enlisted in the Navy in 1957 and after dental school served with the 2nd Dental Company, 2nd Marine Division in Camp Lejeune, NC and was recognized for his participation in the Cuban Missile Crisis with the award of the National Defense Service Medal. He returned to Nashville in 1963 to establish his dental practice. Matt was a member of St. Henry Church where over the years he served in various capacities, which brought him great joy. He was involved in many community activities, serving as president of Junior Pro Football, Board of Trustees of Father Ryan High School, the Knights of Columbus Council 544, and Room In The Inn, just to name a few. Professionally, Dr. Gorham was a leader in organized dentistry in Tennessee. He was a member of the Nashville Dental Society, Tennessee Dental Association, American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry and the Greater Nashville Dental Study Club. Among his numerous achievements include being past president of both the Nashville Dental Society and the Tennessee Dental Association (TDA). He is the recipient of the TDA International Relations Award, the TDA Fellowship Award, the TDA Distinguished Service Award, the Tennessee Academy of General Dentistry's Dentist of the Year, a Fellow in the American College of Dentists and a Fellow in the International College of Dentists. He was also a clinical instructor at Vanderbilt University Allied Health Services and an assistant clinical instructor at Vanderbilt's Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Despite his many accolades, Dr. Gorham was truly humbled every day by patients trusting him for their dental care.

Matt was happiest surrounded by those he loved: his family, the Catholic Church, dentistry, and traveling the world and his many, many friends. Being a Navy guy, he loved the ocean and enjoyed cruising to exotic ports of call, reading books, attending sporting and school events of his children and grandchildren and a little (lot) of R&R on the beach. Words cannot express how deeply he will be missed.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to Father Ryan High School at 700 Norwood Drive, Nashville, TN 37204, St. Henry Church, 6401 Harding Pike, Nashville, TN 37205 or the charity of your choice.

Visitation will be held at St. Henry Church on Wednesday, April 25th from 5:30 - 7:30 and Thursday, April 26th from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. with a Funeral Mass to follow. A private family Burial will be held at Middle Tennessee Veteran's Cemetery on Friday, April 27th at 2:00pm.

Pallbearers will be Matt's grandchildren. Honorary pallbearers are Steve Berk, Larry Brinks, Dr. Pete Carroll, Dr. John Douglas, Dr. Johnny Gholson, John Kordowski, Tom Lennon, Dr. Bobby Lineberger, Bob Scales, Dick Scales, Steve Shepherd, Dr. Clifton Simmons, Ron Siemanski, Jim Walton and Steve Wood. visit MarshallDonnellyCombs.com 615-327-1111