Dallas John Norvell Sr.

Dallas John Norvell was born October 7, 1941, in Detroit, Michigan to Walker Norvell and Lorraine Skalitsky. He was their first child and Lorraine passed away a few days after due to complications giving birth to Dallas. Dallas lived with his maternal grandparents for a few years and would later join his father Walker and his new wife Gussie in Fort Worth, Texas. Dallas grew up with his sisters and brother and attended South HI Mount Elementary School and would later attend and graduate from Arlington Heights High School. He is still remembered fondly by the Class of 59 as being well liked and friendly to everyone.

In November of 1963 Dallas Norvell enlisted in the Army and would rise to the rank of Sergeant in the Special Forces. During his service he would graduate from Airborne academy, excel as an expert rifleman as well as train as a medical specialist. He served overseas in Germany for a year and received a National Defense Service Medal. After his honorable discharge Dallas Norvell would attend and graduate from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Science Degree. He would settle in Austin, Texas and work successfully as a project manager for several state agencies eventually retiring from the Texas Department of Health and Human Services.

Dallas was dedicated to healthy living and healthy eating during his life. He never ate fast food and cooked almost all of his own meals. He made his own tofu and yogurt years before it was readily available in grocery stores. He loved skiing, cycling and rock climbing at Enchanted Rock as well as swimming at Barton Springs. Dallas loved reading, art and visiting museums in different cities. He spent his later years testing his ability with multiple art forms. He wrote a book, created many wood sculptures as well as produced a multitude of paintings and drawings.

Dallas Norvell is preceded in death by his biological mother Lorraine Skalitsky, his father and mother Walker and Gussie Norvell, his sister Shirley Back and his brother Walker Henry Norvell III.

Dallas is survived by his son Dallas Norvell Jr. and his daughter in law Amy Smith Norvell, his sister, La Donna, his grandchildren Katelyn and Kira, his great grandchildren Carter Dallas and Lillah Lynn “Lucky” as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Dallas chose to be cremated and a celebration of life in his memory will be held at a later date. He made an indelible impression on everyone he met in life and his memory will always live on in our hearts and minds.