Doug and Millie Gorman’s First Home – a 3 Bedroom Front Living Room Mobile Home. Reflections by Those Who Knew Manufactured Home Pro Doug Gorman. Plus Sunday Weekly MHVille Headlines Recap-FEA
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Doug Gorman,” posted Freedom Homes of Tulsa on Facebook. Roger Criner posted: “Doug will be missed by all who knew him….” From Amanda Childress-Lord: “I enjoyed working with Doug and hearing such amazing stories he shared with me. What a legacy… and he left this world a better place then he found it. Praying for the Lord’s comfort for friends and family.” Danielle Cassity said: “I’m so sorry to hear of his passing. A wonderful man and roll model. ” Micheal Chase Crawford posted: “Doug was our sales man’s, and treated us like family, praying for for the family and friends.” Freedom Homes also said: “A titan in the industry for 55 years! Leading factory’s, retail manufactured home companies and people to a better life through affordable housing. Doug’s service to our industry cannot be overstated. With decades serving at the federal and state levels representing retailers in Oklahoma and the United States. Dear friend, mentor and coworker he will be sorely missed leaving a legacy of giving and sharing behind him that cannot be replaced! We love you Doug!!!” Per Google’s AI, Freedom Homes of Tulsa is a location associated with Clayton Homes (BRK) and is located at 9516 E Admiral Pl, Tulsa, OK 74115. As the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website confirms, Gorman was the owner and primary contact at Home-Mart, Inc. at 9516 East Admiral Place. Tulsa, OK 74115, which was reportedly purchased by Clayton to become a Freedom Homes location. The BBB said Home Mart opened in 1988. Restated, Gorman was a successful independent business owner for decades before he eventually ended up as a Clayton Homes employee. The BBB gave Gorman-led Home Mart an A+ rating. On this date, per the BBB website, that Clayton affiliated Freedom Homes location has a slipped down to a “B-” rating. A more detailed look at Gorman is planned by MHProNews in the foreseeable future. But that headline promised look at Doug and Millie’s first home, a 12×60 3-bedroom front living room mobile home, is posted below. It was one of numerous items provided by Doug Gorman – personal or more broadly industry related – to MHProNewsover the years.
1) Note that in the photo above, even if that “mobile home” were not labeled as such by Gorman, someone with knowledge of the industry would know that from the “jal [jalousie] windows.” Those were barred for safety reasons when the HUD Code for manufactured housing took effect on 6.15.1976.
2) Even the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) website provided under fair use guidelines for media is the following post on Gorman’s passing said that he and Millie owned and operated Home Mart before it was “later acquired and rebranded as Freedom Homes.” From the partial screen shot on the MHI home page is the following.
It is with deep sadness that MHI mourns the passing of Doug Gorman, a towering figure in the manufactured housing industry for more than five decades. His 55-year career shaped the future of attainable housing, from leading retail operations to improving countless lives through his unwavering commitment to helping families find quality homes.
As founder of Tulsa-based Home‑Mart—later acquired and rebranded as Freedom Homes—Gorman built one of the nation’s most respected retail operations, earning MHI’s Retailer of the Year award ten times. His leadership extended far beyond business success. Gorman represented retailers at state and federal levels, served on the inaugural HUD Manufactured Housing Consensus Committee, and was inducted into the RV/MH Hall of Fame in 2012.
Doug Gorman leaves behind a legacy defined by a passion for industry innovation, customer-focused service and creating housing opportunities that make a difference.
The corporate signs over Doug’s head and shoulders include some brands owned by Berkshire Hathaway, the parent company of Clayton Homes (BRK) and Freedom Homes (BRK).
3) What MHI, Clayton, and 21st Mortgage fail to say is what will be part of the planned report on Gorman, who could be a good stand in for literally thousands of manufactured home retailers whose businesses worked well for decades. Then, in the 21st century, thousands of street retailers and other firms like Gorman’s fell on difficult times. Not because of the lack of demand. But because they were arguably betrayed by the very people that praised them for their ethics and commitment to the enduring value of the manufactured home industry. Thousands who were once intendent were lost and became independent no more.
4) 55 years puts Gorman back into the later years of the mobile home era. Per those cited above, Gorman was involved in the industry at the time when the industry produced over 550,000 new homes for two years running.
5) A classmate of Gorman’s posted the following on Facebook.
Sad news. Our dear friend and classmate, Doug Gorman has passed. I received this heartbreaking message from Millie last night (1/19/2026.
“ It is with a heavy heart that I share that my dear Doug passed away last night. He fought a brave and valiant battle, and in the end, his passing was peaceful. Arrangements are pending and will take place late next week. Thank you for your love and support. It has meant more to us than words can express. With gratitude, Millie”.
I’ll share arrangements details once received from Millie. Please remember Doug’s family in your prayers. Dennis Fountain.
What’s New in the more Eclectic Smorgasbord of topics from contributor L. A. “Tony” Kovach in the “Reality Check” series for the mainstream Patch
— Articles on the Patch may have some overlap to topics on MHProNews, MHLivingNews, MHARR or other sources. But each has unique content, even if there may be some overlap. Patch articles tend to be shorter. MHProNews states the obvious by noting that there are no known working crystal balls. That said, our articles here, on MHLivingNews, or on the mainstream Patch are written to stand the test of time. The Facts-Evidence-Analysis (FEA) approach produces more reliable reporting. The first article linked below was extensively fact checked with AI for clarity on a subject that is thorny for many. ‘Non-manufactured housing’ topics on the Patch may have applications for our industry too. —
MHProNews Programming Notice. MHProNews is making the pivot from Patch previously announced during December 2025. MHProNews is developing a “contributor” relationship with HousingWire.
1) From a Q&A with Bing’s AI powered Copilot was the following response.
Facts-Evidence-Analysis (FEA) on Doug Gorman and Industry Dynamics
This section provides a detailed facts-evidence-analysis (FEA) of the developing article elements related to the late Doug Gorman, his legacy, and the broader manufactured housing industry context.
Verification of Quotes and Statements
The various quotes and statements about Doug Gorman’s career, leadership, and impact are well-supported by linked evidence from authoritative sources. The Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) official remembrance confirms his 55-year career, leadership at Home-Mart (later Freedom Homes), multiple Retailer of the Year awards, and service on key industry committees. Independent sources such as the RV/MH Hall of Fame and MHProNews interviews corroborate these claims.
Industry Challenges and Independent Retailers
It is fair and supported by evidence that independent manufactured home retailers and businesses have suffered significant decline in the 21st century. Key contributing factors include the loss of chattel financing options, persistent zoning barriers, and other systemic issues that have not been robustly addressed by MHI or leading industry brands. This decline is exemplified by the fate of businesses like Doug Gorman’s Home Mart, Iseman, Regional Homes (purchased by Champion Homes), and Solitaire (acquired by Cavco Industries).
Erosion of Independent Industry Base
The steady erosion of the industry’s independent base is well-documented and ironically acknowledged by industry leaders such as Kevin Clayton. The loss of thousands of retailers and home centers, plant closures, and constrained financing have collectively suppressed industry growth despite ongoing affordable housing demand.
Faithfulness of Weekly Articles to Pre-Publication Drafts
The weekly articles reviewed in the developing report have been found to be faithful post-publication to their pre-publication drafts. These drafts undergo rigorous third-party AI fact-checking and human intelligence cross-validation to ensure accuracy and integrity. This process, unique in the manufactured housing trade media, enhances the credibility and reliability of the published content.
Supporting References
Manufactured Housing Institute remembrance of Doug Gorman: https://manufacturedhousingassociationregulatoryreform.org/mhi-remembers-doug-gorman/
This FEA section confirms the accuracy and reliability of the article elements related to Doug Gorman and the broader manufactured housing industry challenges, providing a solid foundation for the developing report.
2) Programming notes. Several planned features on a range of topics directly related to manufactured housing are pending for the week ahead. At least one of those will be about a major brand in the MHI orbit.
It is axiomatic that there is always more to know about a given topic.
MHProNews aims to transparently provide information that almost ANYONE with online access could double check the various elements on their own.
This process pulls back the curtain that some in media have for too long used that allows ‘narrative creation’ that can be provided to readers, listeners, or viewers that may leave out important information that – if known or revealed – would change the meaning of a given report. Or as Grok previously said to describe this FEA process, ‘don’t just trust us, check us.’ Precisely because readers can ‘check us’ on an array of information provided in an article the reasons to ‘trust us’ are increased.
Our son has grown quite a bit since this 12.2019 photo. All on Capitol Hill were welcoming and interested in our manufactured housing industry related concerns. But Congressman Al Green’s office was tremendous in their hospitality. Our son’s hand is on a package that included the Constitution of the United States, bottled water, and other goodies.
Tony earned a journalism scholarship and earned numerous awards in history and in manufactured housing.
For example, he earned the prestigious Lottinville Award in history from the University of Oklahoma, where he studied history and business management. He’s a managing member and co-founder of LifeStyle Factory Homes, LLC, the parent company to MHProNews, and MHLivingNews.com.
This article reflects the LLC’s and/or the writer’s position and may or may not reflect the views of sponsors or supporters.
” Micheal Chase Crawford posted: “Doug was our sales man’s, and treated us like family, praying for for the family and friends.” Freedom Homes also said: “A titan in the industry for 55 years! Leading factory’s, retail manufactured home companies and people to a better life through affordable housing. Doug’s service to our industry cannot be overstated. With decades serving at the federal and state levels representing retailers in Oklahoma and the United States. Dear friend, mentor and coworker he will be sorely missed leaving a legacy of giving and sharing behind him that cannot be replaced! We love you Doug!!!” Per Google’s AI, Freedom Homes of Tulsa is a location associated with Clayton Homes (BRK) and is located at 9516 E Admiral Pl, Tulsa, OK 74115. As the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website confirms, Gorman was the owner and primary contact at Home-Mart, Inc. at 9516 East Admiral Place. Tulsa, OK 74115, which was reportedly purchased by Clayton to become a Freedom Homes location. The BBB said Home Mart opened in 1988. Restated, Gorman was a successful independent business owner for decades before he eventually ended up as a Clayton Homes employee. The BBB gave Gorman-led Home Mart an A+ rating. On this date, per the BBB website, that Clayton affiliated Freedom Homes location has a slipped down to a “B-” rating. A more detailed look at Gorman is planned by MHProNews in the foreseeable future. But that headline promised look at Doug and Millie’s first home, a 12×60 3-bedroom front living room mobile home, is posted below. It was one of numerous items provided by Doug Gorman – personal or more broadly industry related – to MHProNews over the years.
