College of Nursing Alumni Becomes Lexington's Newest Mayor
Linda Gorton, Lexington's newest mayor and graduate of the University of Kentucky College of Nursing, was officially sworn in on Sunday, January 6.
About Linda Gorton:
Linda grew up in the heart of farm country in central Ohio, where her father sold Ford tractors and later managed a grain elevator. Her mother worked in a physician’s office. They raised Linda, her two brothers and one sister. Linda left home for the first time to attend the University of Kentucky College of Nursing, where she graduated in 1971.
She married Charles Gorton, a native Lexingtonian and fellow UK graduate. The newlyweds moved to Germany where Charlie was stationed with the U.S. Army and Linda worked as a registered nurse. After three years in Germany, the two moved to Columbus, GA, next to South Korea and then back to the U.S. where they decided to come home to Lexington.
Over the years, Linda has enjoyed volunteering with numerous groups in Lexington. She was a Girl Scout leader for many years, a LYSA youth soccer coach and volunteered with school activities, from Glendover Elementary School P.T.A. President to Lafayette Band Parents’ Association President. She is an ordained Elder and Deacon at Second Presbyterian Church.
Linda has served on many community boards, including the Friends of the Dog Park, Parks Advisory Board, Family Circuit Court Advisory Board, Sister Cities Commission, UK/LFUCG Arboretum Advisory Board, Bluegrass Council-Boy Scouts, Bluegrass Military Affairs Coalition, Friends of the Lafayette Band, Central Kentucky Radio Eye, and Emergency Medical Advisory Board. She is a graduate of the Citizen Police Academy, the Citizen Fire Academy, Leadership Lexington 2000 and Leadership Kentucky 2001.
Linda served 16 years on the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council: four terms representing the 4th District, one term as a Council Member At-Large and one term as Vice Mayor.
In addition to her community service, Linda was a staff nurse for a local physician and was a volunteer Family Support instructor for the U.S. Army Reserve Battalion and Brigade Pre-Command Course.
Linda and Charles have been married almost 47 years and have two children and four grandchildren. Both children are in military families. Daughter Abby is married to a US Air Force F-16 fighter pilot who is a native Lexingtonian. Son Clay is a US Army Blackhawk helicopter pilot married to a native of Henderson, KY. Charles is a retired public health administrator and retired US Army Major General.
