William (Kenny) "Birdman" Kenneth Gorman

William Kenneth (Kenny) “Birdman” Gorman, of Oletha, passed away tragically on Saturday, July 14, 2012, as the result of an automobile accident on FM 937. He was 59. Kenny was a descendent of the Ben Lenamon clan, and had just finished mowing the Lenamon cemetery, working with his parents there, prior to the unfortunate accident. A Memorial service will be held at Bethel Baptist Church in Groesbeck, on Saturday, July 21, 2012 at 1:00 P.M., with Rev. Daryl Hatley officiating. Kenny was born on May 23, 1953, to Wallace K. Gorman and Ruby Jane (Ayles) Gorman, in Houston, and was their only child. He grew up and attended school in the Houston area. He was baptized in the Church of God. He grew up hunting and fishing, and always had dogs, and ducks, and fish as pets. He worked early in life at WKM in Houston where he learned his trade as a machinist. He also had the ability to work on all kinds of engines. He taught his daughters to ride horses, motorcycles, go-karts, and to love riding in his boats. He was later known as “Birdman”, and had earned the nick name because birds became a big part of his life in the early 90s. Raising his big colorful exotic birds, from macaws and parrots,to smaller finches, and his other pets (dogs and cats and goats) became his primary occupation after ill health caused him to retire. It started with one bird in the family, and then it seemed birds found him; people called him with unwanted birds, and he rescued wild birds. The whole family including his parents and grandmother became involved with him in the bird trade shows, traveling to shows in Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas. He made toys for the birds to play on that were sold at the shows and his grandmother also enjoyed making swings and chairs for them. Kenny moved with his wife Sandra Blanton and his birds and pets to Oletha in 2006 to be closer to his parents who lived in Groesbeck. He wore his hair long, only cutting it one time for a picture to be taken with his teenage daughter. He was a kind-hearted guy, and a good son, father, and grandfather, and would help anyone with anything. His grandchildren loved the fun time spent with their “Opa.” He is survived by his parents, Wallace and Ruby Gorman of Groesbeck; his daughter, Angela K. Gorman and her finance, Max Leach of Oklahoma; grandson, Kolton W. Gorman, granddaughter, London Gorman, and Max's daughter, Maggie Mae Leach of Oklahoma; his wife, Sandra K. Blanton of Thornton; her daughter and son-in-law, Kimberlie and Thomas Jersa and children Brianna and Maddison Jersa of Cypress; and her son, Kellie Welch of Pampa, Fl.and son and daughter-in-law, William Mark and Robyn Welch and children, Latton and Katy Welch of Michigan.