Donald Norris

PERRY- Donald Adrian "Don" Norris, 93, passed away on Monday, November 14, 2016, after a brief illness. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, November 18, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Perry. Interment will be in Perry Memorial Gardens immediately following the service. The family will greet friends on Thursday, November 17, 2016, from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. at Watson-Hunt Funeral Home. Flowers will be gratefully accepted or the family respectfully suggests memorial contributions to Gentiva Hospice, 319 Margie Drive, Warner Robins, GA 31088. Mr. Norris was born in Darke County, Ohio, to the late Arden E. and Mary Arnett Norris, and grew up in Dayton, Ohio. A high school baseball star, he was drafted by the New York Yankees to play professional baseball after graduation, but was drafted into the U.S. Army before he left for New York. He proudly served our country during World War II and the Invasion of Normandy where he was wounded. Mr. Norris received 2 Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart for his service in the Army. When he returned to the states, he began working in Civil Service at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. In 1962, he transferred to Robins Air Force Base, and moved to Perry, where he would live the rest of his life. When his son, Don, was playing basketball at Perry High School, Mr. Norris loved assisting Coach Ray Mims with the basketball team. Through the years, he was honored to present awards for Boys' State and Girls' State Scholarships from American Legion to local high school students. He had lots of "war stories" and was thrilled to share them over and over with friends of all ages. He was an active member of the American Legion Post 24, where he was a Former Commander and District Commander. Mr. Norris enjoyed traveling with the local Junior Vice Commander to various posts around the state, helping them to install new officers within their local organizations. Mr. Norris was also a member of the Old Crows Organization and the VFW. Mr. Norris delighted in traveling with his wife in their airstream, and later their motor home, within the United States. He enjoyed visiting the VA Hospital in Dublin, delivering donuts and special treats when he went. Mr. Norris really cared about people, our community, and our country. He was a true patriot and will be dearly missed. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 65 years, Florence E. "Flo" Norris; and his son, Donald A. "Don" Norris, Jr. Left to cherish the memories of Mr. Norris are his children, Donna Hairrington (Keiland) and Gerald Norris (Kathy), both of Perry; his grandchildren, Jeff Hairrington (Amy) and Jamie Hairrington (Joy), both of Perry, Marti Norris Cawthon (David) and Donny Norris (Anna), both of Patterson, GA; 12 great-grandchildren; and his daughter in law, Dot Norris of Patterson, GA. The family would like to give a special Thank You to the administration and staff of True Care, for their kindness, love, and attention while caring for Mr. Norris. Condolences for the family may be left in the online guestbook at www.watsonhunt.com. Watson-Hunt Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Tributes

Donald Norris

November 14, 2016