LOMBARD — On Dec. 28, 2021, Alexander “Al” or “Butch” Gorr Sr. left this earth surrounded by family. He joined many beloved family members and friends in heaven, but most importantly, Jesus.

Al was born into the loving home of Goldie and Evie (Schuhknecht) Gorr on Nov. 20, 1942. He is survived by the most loving sisters, Bonnie (the late Dusty) Rhodes, Judy (Tony) Pones and Carol (Ralph) Leef (and the late Ray Amerlan).  Named after an uncle who survived the Bataan Death March, only to be killed on the ship Arisan Maru, Al became an expert on World War II, something he would share with several of his grandsons one day.

During the Christmas season of 1962, he met Georgene St. Clair at a Sears store, where they were both seasonal help. It was love at first sight. Seven months later they married and within seven years they had five children: Marta (Michael) Gemelli, Jenny (Ken) Martin, Al Jr. (Jennifer), Bonnie (Steve) Flanagan and Heidi (Mike) Schmuldt. He is survived by all five, who will truly, deeply miss him. Joining in their sorrow are his grandchildren Ken, Katie (Dave), Elizabeth (Neil), Rocky, Marissa, Abby, Alex, Leslie, Peter, Allie, Tom, John, Steve and Claire, and two great-grandsons, Dexter and Milo.

Al formerly said goodbye to family he loved including his parents, Georgene’s parents (George and Lorraine St. Clair), his great-grandson Drake Bailey, and more dear friends than we can mention.  He leaves behind David Sanders, his close friend for over 65 years.

He held fond memories of his school days at St. Paul Lutheran, Melrose Park, his first church home. His “forever” church home, however, will always be Ashton Bible Church, where he made many friends. We are thankful for the spiritual home he found there.

No one told a story like Grandpa Butch, and he had plenty to share, from his years growing up in Melrose Park with purple fuzzy eggs, to his secret car at age 14 (his first of many classic cars).  

He had stories from his career with Northwest Orient/Flying Tigers Airline as a ramp rat and international salesman extraordinaire; and stories from his years as a policeman, such as working with the Secret Service when President Carter visited, and his time as the first police counselor/liaison in Illinois at Addison Trail High School. It was there he impacted many students, including impressing them once by wrestling a Kodiak bear at a pep rally. He was chief of police in both Addison and Rochelle.

Dad lit up a room with his presence.  His silliness was infectious. We will never pop our eyeballs into our mouths for a good washing without thinking of him. After 59 years together, Mom will be especially heartbroken as they were everything to each other.

There will be a visitation on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard. There will be an additional viewing at 10:30 am on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022 at Lombard Gospel Chapel, 369 N. Stewart Ave., Lombard, with the funeral immediately following at 11 a.m.

If you wish to make a memorial gift in Al’s honor, the family requests donations be made to Ashton Bible Church, Lombard Gospel Chapel, or Care Net (care-net.org).

Info www.brustfuneralhome.com or 888-629-0094.