James William Norman

James William Norman, III, died peacefully at Christopher House on April 21, 2009, at age 65. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, mentor, and friend, Jim was born on June 27, 1943, at the old Seton Hospital in Austin, Texas. Raised in Lockhart and Austin, he graduated from the old Austin High School and The University of Texas at Austin with a B.A. and M.A. in history and a J.D. from the School of Law. Jim was passionate about history, UT sports, jogging, law, good food, wine, yoga, people, animals, and travel. Jim was a source of wisdom, humor, compassion, and boundless love. At the time of his death, he was serving as a Master Administrative Law Judge at the State Office of Administrative Hearings. He had served at SOAH since its inception in the spring of 1992. Prior to that, Jim had been Chief Clerk and Associate Commissioner/Chief Hearings Officer at the Texas Department of Insurance. Jim had also served as chair of the Administrative Law Section of the State Bar of Texas and as president of the Jung Society of Austin. Before going to law school, Jim taught history for two years at the Greenhill Academy in Dallas. Jim mentored young lawyers and administrative law judges, always demonstrating a fine intellect, an ethic of hard work and responsibility, a deep knowledge and understanding of the law, compassion, and the highest integrity. He dearly loved his family and friends, finding Maggie Norman as his life companion four years ago. In addition to his beloved wife, Maggie, he is survived by his children, Jim, Jr., Amy, and Sarah; his step-children, Meredith Horn and Allen Drexel; his grandchildren, Hunter, Olivia, and Sophia Norman; his step-grandchildren, Wyatt, Montana, Carson, and Hutton Horn. Other survivors include Paula and Ernest Smith, Brian Smith, Carter and Stacey Smith, Robert Wood, M.D., Robert W. Wood, III, John Wood, Jim Wood, Carter Smith, Mary Lee Gunberg, and Loan and Robert T. Hall. He is predeceased by his parents, William and Wilma Norman, and his sister, Sarah Wood. Visitation will be held at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 North Lamar Blvd., on Thursday, April 23, 2009, at 6:30 p.m., followed by a Prayer Service at 7:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held at The Church of the Transfiguration, 414 St. Stephen's School Rd., at 10:30 a.m., Friday, April 24, 2009. Burial will be private. Pallbearers will be Gary Elkins, Steve Pacey, Howard Seitzman, Paul Keeper, Tommy Broyles, Bill Newchurch, Mike Borkland, and Allen Drexel. The family wishes to thank the excellent caretakers at Christopher House, M.D. Anderson, Seton Hospital, Cornerstone Hospital, and HealthSouth Rehab Hospital. Memorial contributions may be made to the Capital Area Food Bank, FINCA, or Christopher House.