On September 6, 2014 at 10:49 a.m. Jesus called our loved one home to be with him for eternity. James Daniel Norris passed away suddenly and very unexpectedly at Woodside Village Care Center in Mt. Gilead, Ohio, which was how he always wanted to go. So we feel so much relief knowing Jesus was with him holding his hand since none of us could be there. He will be forever in our hearts and missed terribly, but after all the battles he fought here on this Earth, he deserves to live peacefully on in Heaven.
Jim was born on May 29, 1948 at Marion General Hospital to a Mr. John H. and Mrs. Barbara Bingham Norris, both deceased.
He is survived by a loving wife of 43 years, Betty J. (Slone) Norris. She was the absolute love of his life and between the two of them, they had two children. Kevin J. and Amanda R. (Lee) Norris and Kimberly S. (Norris) Hutchison both of Marion. He also had one granddaughter, Allison L. Hutchison, whom he thought the sun rose and set upon. He enjoyed spending as much time as possible with her and all of his family.
He is also survived by three brothers: John “Jack” and Marianne Norris, George and Joan Norris, and Hugh and Linda Norris, all of Marion. He is survived by one sister Priscilla (Norris) Horn of Delaware. One sister, Camille (Norris) Coleman preceded him in death. He is also survived by many, many nieces and nephews and a very large loving family of in-laws and extended family that loved him dearly.
Jim was drafted into the Vietnam War in 1969. He proudly served two tours with the 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles, one in Vietnam and the second in Frankfurt, Germany. He earned a purple heart and bronze stars for his service and for being shot by a sniper. He was a very proud Veteran and proud to serve this great country.
Jim was well known throughout the community from owning and running Norris’ Grocery, which is still thriving today on the corner of Bennett and Latourette Streets. He opened it on January 19, 1976. Due to his health decline, his son, Kevin Norris has taken over his business to keep his legacy alive. He loved running his own business and talking to all of his customers, many of whom where just as close to him as family. He was very much a people person and saw several generations grow up through his years at the store.
Among spending time with family, his favorite pastimes were playing golf, watching the Cleveland Indians, Cleveland Browns, and the Ohio State Buckeyes and the occasional trip to a casino. He had a great sense of humor that could make anyone laugh, and that is what his children want to remember the most about him. He was the life of the party, no matter how bad he felt, he was always in very good spirits with a huge smile on his face and would help anyone out in need.
He also enjoyed tremendously coaching his son in Baseball for Youth from the time he was 10 all the way up until Kevin was 17. And as with everything he did, he set a great example for all the youth he coached and looked out for their safety. It was more than just about winning to him, but that everyone enjoyed and developed a live long understanding and love for the game.
The family is holding a wake to celebrate his life starting at 2 p.m. Wednesday, September 10 at Good Faith Baptist Church on Jefferson Street going clear through until the funeral at 10:30 a.m. Thursday morning on September 11th, 2014. Burial will follow at Grand Prairie Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice. However, his preferred charities were the Wounded Warriors, Disabled Veterans, and Marion Safety City.
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