Charles William Gorham passed away peacefully on March 29, 2025. He was born in 1943 in Cullman, Alabama to Oscar W. Gorham and Onzelle (Hanvey) Gorham. He graduated from Holly Pond High School in 1961, in 1965 he graduated with honors from St. Bernard College, and in 1968 he graduated from Cumberland School of Law, Samford University.
Charlie started legal practice in 1968 in Cullman, Alabama with former State senator, Tom Drake. He later moved his practice to Birmingham and opened an office with Chris H. Doss. His legal career lasted 53 years. He was a member of the Birmingham Bar Foundation, past president of the Birmingham Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) and served on numerous committees for the Alabama and Birmingham Bar Associations. He was also the longest serving city judge in the state of Alabama, serving Warrior, Trafford, and Fultondale. He received numerous awards in his area of law practice. He had a deep love for the law and was trusted by his clients and peers to be honest, fair, and ethical.
In 1966, he joined the Alabama National Guard and later moved to the U.S. Army Reserve Judge Advocate General Corps. He remained in the Army Reserves as the Staff Judge Advocate for the 121st ARCOM and retired as a Colonel after 25+ years of service.
He is predeceased by his mother and father, his brother Wendell Gorham, and both sets of grandparents. He is survived by his loving wife, Martha Gorham, daughter Julie Gorham, Birmingham, Charles Gorham Jr, Washington D.C., nieces Theresa Stewart and Rexanne Prescott, several great nieces and nephews, and numerous friends. A graveside service with military honors was held at the Holly Pond Cemetery on April 2, 2025.
Any donations in his memory can be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of Central Alabama (alzca.org), Collatt Jewish Family Services (cjfsbham.org), South Highland Presbyterian Church (adult center), or the charity of your choice.
