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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
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John Leonard “Len” Gourley
John Leonard “Len” Gourley
Cedar Rapids
John Leonard "Len" Gourley was born on May 19, 1932 to John Edwin and Adelia (Burkey) Gourley on a farm outside of Villisca, Iowa. Following graduation from Shenandoah High School with the Class of 1953, John was drafted into the Army and served during the Korean Conflict. Upon his return, he joined the Army National Guard, where he served for 25 years.
He was united in marriage to Patricia Zimmer on May 18, 1957 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Shenandoah. To this union, three sons and a daughter were born. John worked as a buyer for multiple companies in the Cedar Rapids area. He was active in all local military organizations and the Elks Lodge. He served as drill instructor with the American Legion Color Guard Hanford Post #5 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa for 20 years.
He is survived by his wife, Pat Gourley; four children, Michael (Lori) Gourley, Ken (Kathy) Gourley, Margaret (Sean) Smith, and Joseph (Kathy) Gourley; ten grandchildren, Stephanie Gourley, Alex Gourley, Jessica (Rob) Wirtjes, Andrea (Lucas) Robison, Kara (Darrin) Christensen, Kurtis Gourley, Danielle (Brandon) Cunningham, Samantha (Sam) Nelson, Jeremy Gourley and Nathan Gourley; 12 great-grandchildren; his sister, Anita Osthoff; and his aunt, Edith Swanson. John was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Richard.
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