Norris Furman Dendy

Norris Furman Dendy was born on May 31, 1931 to Norris Dendy, Sr and Amanda Fant Dendy in Clinton, South Carolina. Lieutenant Colonel Dendy passed away on March 11, 2024 at the age of 92 in his home, surrounded by his loving family.

After losing his father at a very young age, he pushed through adversity to build an amazing life for himself and his family. Norris lived a full and exemplary life with many achievements in his personal life, service to his country, and his civilian career. He played piano at the age of 4 at the World’s Fair while his 3 year old brother sang. He met Nelcie Jane Oliver in Oklahoma and they married on January 11, 1957. He received a Bachelor's of Science from North Carolina A&T University in 1953. He later received his Master's of Education from Virginia State University in 1974.

Norris enlisted in the Army Infantry division after college as a 1st Lieutenant. He was a Staff Officer at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C for 3 years. He was the Professor of Military Science at Virginia State University, where he served as the head of the ROTC department and the Senior Advisor to the College President. He was the first advisor to initiate women into the program. Later, he was the Director of Training and Chief of Training Operations in the DFAS building at Fort Harrison, IN where he instructed thousands of junior officers. After an illustrious 25 years, he retired from the military as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Norris was wounded in combat twice while serving two tours in the Vietnam War from 1965 - 1966 and 1970 - 1971. He was an excellent leader and mentor to those under his command, and never lost a soldier. He was a highly decorated officer who received too many awards to list, but the following are the most notable: Legion of Merit (2), Bronze Star (5), Meritorious Service Medal (2), Air Medal (5), and Purple Heart.

Norris began his civilian career at Indiana Bell (which later became AT&T), where he worked until his retirement in 1992. During his 14 years there, he helped to replace the Directory Assistant System and implement digital technology equipment, such as Star 69 (automatic callback).

Norris and Nelcie enjoyed a beautiful 64 years together before her passing in 2021. He is also preceded in death by his eldest grandson Nicholas, and his three older sisters Viola, Othello, and Margaret. Norris leaves behind by his four children - Deidra (Larry) Davis, Brent Dendy, Denise (Terry) Pritchard, Kimberly Dendy; eight grandkids - Mia, Devon, Monique, Bryce, Megan, Shea, and Spencer; eight great grandkids; and his brother, Young Dendy of 91 years.

There are so many more accomplishments and notable events. If Norris’s 92 years of life as a soldier, scholar, civilian, son, brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and husband could be summarized in one word, it would be: Hero.