Jeff Gorrell
December 26, 1945 ~ May 2, 2020
John Jeffrey Gorrell of Oakton, VA, born December 26, 1945 in Bowling Green, KY, died May 2, 2020 in his home.
John Jeffrey Gorrell (Jeff) graduated from Vanderbilt University, earning his Masters and PhD at the of University of Florida in Educational Psychology. He taught at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond before becoming Professor and Associate Dean of Education at Auburn University. Jeff joined the faculty at George Mason University as Dean and Professor of the Graduate School of Education and Human Development. He traveled extensively, starting with a Fulbright Scholarship to Sri Lanka, followed by travel to many other countries.
Jeff began painting in 1992 while at Auburn. He developed as an artist and tried many mediums, but particularly was known for his watercolors. Jeff was a member of the Vienna Arts Society, Potomac Valley Watercolorists, Virginia Watercolor Society and the National Watercolor Society. A visit to Jeff's studio at the Workhouse in Lorton, Virginia, was always a treat as he pulled out new pieces to explain the technique and the motivation behind each one. Jeff's many friends miss him for many personal reasons, because he left an everlasting impression on those who knew him. His work can still be seen on his website:
http://jeffgorrell.com
Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, Wilfred Louis and Jessie Cassady Gorrell, and his youngest brother, David Bruce Gorrell, and great-niece, Brooklyn Abigail Gorrell. He is survived by his brothers, Alan Louis Gorrell (Sandy) and Brian Reid Gorrell (Grace); special family members, George and Nancy Skiadas; nieces, Tracy Chernick (Morris), Kelly Thomason (Brad), and Cassady Gorrell; nephews, Shawn Gorrell (Kara), Todd Gorrell (Jeanie), Chris Gorrell (Misty), Josh Skillman (Sarah) and Ben Skiadas; great-nieces, Emma Thomason, Julia Gorrell, Josie Gorrell, and Lenore Gorrell; great-nephews, Will Thomason, Bradley Gorrell, Alex Thomason, and Lane Gorrell; special friends, Feeling Lin, Francis Boakari (Salete), Young Suk Hwang (Dino Vrongistinos), Indranaie Dharmadasak (Dharme), Tony Covington, and Sam Steen.
Condolences can be sent to:
Alan L Gorrell
19 Tipperary Circle
Bristol, TN 37620-3049
While no memorial service is currently scheduled, a celebration of life will be announced at a future date.
Donations in memory of Jeff may be made to the Vienna Arts Society, 243 Church Street Vienna, VA 22180 (www.ViennaArtsSociety.org) a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization in support of establishing a scholarship in Jeff Gorrell's name, to graduating High School Artists. While no memorial service is currently scheduled, a celebration of life reception will be announced at a future date by the Vienna Arts Society
Donations in memory of Jeff may also be made to the Workhouse Arts Center, 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton, VA 22079 (www.WorkhouseArts.org) a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization in support of establishing a scholarship in Jeff Gorrell's name, to emerging Watercolor Artists.
John Jeffrey Gorrell (Jeff) graduated from Vanderbilt University, earning his Masters and PhD at the of University of Florida in Educational Psychology. He taught at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond before becoming Professor and Associate Dean of Education at Auburn University. Jeff joined the faculty at George Mason University as Dean and Professor of the Graduate School of Education and Human Development. He traveled extensively, starting with a Fulbright Scholarship to Sri Lanka, followed by travel to many other countries.
Jeff began painting in 1992 while at Auburn. He developed as an artist and tried many mediums, but particularly was known for his watercolors. Jeff was a member of the Vienna Arts Society, Potomac Valley Watercolorists, Virginia Watercolor Society and the National Watercolor Society. A visit to Jeff's studio at the Workhouse in Lorton, Virginia, was always a treat as he pulled out new pieces to explain the technique and the motivation behind each one. Jeff's many friends miss him for many personal reasons, because he left an everlasting impression on those who knew him. His work can still be seen on his website:
http://jeffgorrell.com
Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, Wilfred Louis and Jessie Cassady Gorrell, and his youngest brother, David Bruce Gorrell, and great-niece, Brooklyn Abigail Gorrell. He is survived by his brothers, Alan Louis Gorrell (Sandy) and Brian Reid Gorrell (Grace); special family members, George and Nancy Skiadas; nieces, Tracy Chernick (Morris), Kelly Thomason (Brad), and Cassady Gorrell; nephews, Shawn Gorrell (Kara), Todd Gorrell (Jeanie), Chris Gorrell (Misty), Josh Skillman (Sarah) and Ben Skiadas; great-nieces, Emma Thomason, Julia Gorrell, Josie Gorrell, and Lenore Gorrell; great-nephews, Will Thomason, Bradley Gorrell, Alex Thomason, and Lane Gorrell; special friends, Feeling Lin, Francis Boakari (Salete), Young Suk Hwang (Dino Vrongistinos), Indranaie Dharmadasak (Dharme), Tony Covington, and Sam Steen.
Condolences can be sent to:
Alan L Gorrell
19 Tipperary Circle
Bristol, TN 37620-3049
While no memorial service is currently scheduled, a celebration of life will be announced at a future date.
Donations in memory of Jeff may be made to the Vienna Arts Society, 243 Church Street Vienna, VA 22180 (www.ViennaArtsSociety.org) a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization in support of establishing a scholarship in Jeff Gorrell's name, to graduating High School Artists. While no memorial service is currently scheduled, a celebration of life reception will be announced at a future date by the Vienna Arts Society
Donations in memory of Jeff may also be made to the Workhouse Arts Center, 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton, VA 22079 (www.WorkhouseArts.org) a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization in support of establishing a scholarship in Jeff Gorrell's name, to emerging Watercolor Artists.
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In Loving Memory of Jeff Gorrell Le artiste a ses raisons que la raison ne connaît point. the artist has his reasons which reason does not know http://jeffgorrell.com/
I will miss Jeff. He was a kind man, a wonderful artist, and an active member of a Potomac Valley Watercolorists. I worked with a Jeff on some of our painting exhibits. I send my condolences to his family. Jane Gott
Jeff was our Dean at the College of Education and Human Development, he hired me in 2001. He was always thoughtful, supportive and most of all kind. His creative talent was part of his thinking in unique and helpful ways. He is and will continue to be missed for all of his contributions to the well being and education of others. My deepest condolences to his friends and family. Bev Shaklee
Jeff and I worked together at Southeastern University in Louisiana. We were colleagues, friends, and co-researchers. Later, I went to the University of Georgia and he went to Auburn. We kept in touch sporadically, and reconnected when he became dean at George Mason, where some friends of mine were on faculty. Just recently, we started corresponding about watercolor painting. He was a brilliant, creative, gentle soul who will be greatly missed.
So sorry to hear about Jeff’s passing…he was a valued colleague in academe…while he was at Auburn he was active in the Mid-South Educational Research Association, where he held leadership positions on the Board…Jeff was quiet [who knew he was John and an artist?] and competent, and from what I saw, his students had the highest respect for him. At different times he and I shared the same Fulbright award to Sri Lanka. He will be missed…but his impact on research, his students, colleagues and friends will continue on. Walter M. Mathews
This picture was Jeff in his element. I’m in the studio across from where this photo was taken and had the privilege to get to know him during his time here. I’m working on a memorial board to put in our gallery and came across this notice so I thought I’d leave a message. It’s hard to think of him not being here when we open, teaching kids his watercolor technique, laughing with us on Second Saturdays. I had to type out a new legend of artists in the building and couldn’t bring myself to take his name off the list. Instead I just left his name and added ‘In Memorium – Forever Renegade. It’s what we’ve named our band of misfit artists in this building and truly fit him. We were lucky to have him here and get to know him.
I am one of Jeff’s suitemates at the Workhouse. When Jeff needed a break from his work, he often stopped in my next-door studio. We pulled up a chair and chatted. Jeff was an extremely nice man. I enjoyed his frequent visits and will miss them in the future. I could hear his instructions to his own studio visitors. He freely gave so much to anyone who wanted to listen, even allowing visitors to use his brushes and paints and try some painting. What a kind and generous man he was. I shall miss him. Jeanne Treschuk
I am deeply saddened to hear of Jeff’s passing. Pat Korb, my mother, met Jeff in graduate school here at the University of FL. Jeff came over to our house so often, he was much like an older brother to me. We had some wonderful times together! Our home has several original Jeff Gorrell paintings on the walls. He was an amazing human being. My sincere condolences to the family. mitzi korb
I first met Jeff at my 13th birthday party in 1969. How he became acquainted with my family I’m not sure. But Jeff was always a fixture, whether physically near, or later when he got his PhD and was quite remote. I always kept in touch with Jeff. In his last email reply (diabetes finally put him in a wheelchair) he was reading Dante. I have far too many anecdotes about this truly mild-mannered, soft spoken gentlemanly soul who turned to Education as a career. He was my friend. Thank you for gracing my life and walking with me. I will never cease to think of you.
Jeff and my sister were college sweethearts.
Ever gracious, he paid attention to me, her little sister, still in grade school.
Oh, how I wanted him for my big brother, but that was not to be.
Shortly before my sister died of cancer, she asked her college roommate to find him.
They had last spoken at graduation 14 years earlier.
She desperately wanted to talk with Jeff one final time.
He quickly called and made plans to come that weekend.
Talking with Jeff gave her peace. Two days later she died.
I never forgot his kindness. Over the years I tried, but never found him. Now I have.
Thank you, Jeff.