John "Jack" R. Norman

John “Jack” R. Norman was born in Manistee, Michigan on April 19, 1930 to Henry “Hank” Norman and Minda B. Rodal Norman. He was the grandchild of Swedish and Norwegian immigrants, settling in Minnesota and Michigan in the late 1800’s. His family moved from Michigan to Galveston, Tx, where Jack graduated from Ball High School in 1946. He was a cadet in the Army Corp and enjoyed broadcasting sporting events such as football, basketball, and baseball while attending Texas A&M University where he received his B.S degree in 1950. Following graduation, he went on to attend the University of Texas Medical School in Galveston and earned his M.D. Degree in 1954. It was there that he met Nell Jean Compton, a nursing student at UT, and married in 1952.

Jack completed his medical internship at Receiving Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. He was then assigned to Norton Air Force Base in San Bernardino, CA. He served two years in the USAF as Captain and Flight Surgeon. During this time, 1955-1957, he was summoned to serve in Area 51 in Nevada, as a Flight Surgeon for the U2 pilots flying reconnaissance for the then top secret mission, “Aquatone.” He then went on to complete an Internal Medicine Residency at the VA Hospital and affiliated Baylor University Residency Program in Waco, Tx. In 1960, he began a two year Fellowship in Cardiology at the VA Hospital in Houston, Tx.

Jack and Nell, with four young children in tow, moved to Albuquerque, NM in 1961. He began his private practice in Internal Medicine and Cardiology at La Mesa Medical Center where he practiced until retirement. He came out of retirement for a number of years and provided consultation and follow up care in cardiology in other areas of the state as well as the El Paso, TX VA Clinic. He received an honorable discharge as Lt. Colonel from USAF reserves in 1990.

Jack had a passion for playing tennis, golf and the organ and was a wiz at solving puzzles. In his younger years he loved flying and piloting his Cessna six seater plane with the family on board. He had a love for animals, especially dogs. His wit and sense of humor remained with him always as did his love for his alma mater, Texas A&M University- Gig’em Aggies!

Jack was preceded in death by his mother, father and brother, Jerry.

Jack is survived by Nell and their five children; son, Bob Norman of Houston; daughter, Deb Magruder and husband, Brian Magruder, of Colorado; daughter, Donna Norman, of Austin; daughter, DeeDee Norman, of Pipe Creek; daughter, Barb Priebe and husband, Jim Priebe, of Pennsylvania; and his grandchildren; Shawna, Kyle, Matt, Krystie, Jen, Megan, Amy and Lauren and their families, including five great-grandchildren. Also left to cherish his memory is his stepmother, Doris Norman, of Willis.

The family wishes to thank the VA Home-Based Primary Care Teams of Albuquerque and Santa Fe, NM; Simplicity Home Care of Albuquerque and Santa Fe; Del Corazon Hospice of Santa Fe and the amazing CNA team, who cared for “Doctor” 24/7 in his final days. All of these care providers were a blessing to dad and our family and we are forever grateful.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ForestParkLawndaleFH.com for the Norman family.