John was born July 2, 1928 to George Wesley Norris and Eleanor Ridout Norris. He grew up in Annapolis, Maryland on the family farm. After graduating from Annapolis high school he went on to Towson State Teachers College. There he met his future bride, Doris Miller. They were married in 1950. The Army called him to service in January 1952 and he served in active duty until 1954. He transferred to the Army Reserves as a Captain. He started his insurance career with Nationwide in Annapolis before accepting an opportunity to open a new branch in Kansas City in 1962. He moved his family to Overland Park, KS and put down new roots. He retired as a Regional Group Manager for Union Central in 1990.
He was active in his church serving many roles at Christ Church Anglican including church choir, Vestry, Lay Reader and Liturgical Assistant. He volunteered at the Argentine food kitchen, Meals on Wheels, Yardley Hall at JCCC, St Joseph Medical Center and worked at Mt Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral as a funeral assistant. Over the years he gave 100+ pints of blood at the Community Blood Bank.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Doris, in February 2008 after 57 yrs of marriage; brother, Bill Norris and sister, Mary Ellen Babbitt.
John is survived by his children, John Norris and wife Linda, James "Jim" Norris and wife Janet, Jane Norris Vasey and husband, Leonard and Jeffrey Norris and wife Ann; his grandchildren Jessica, Jennifer, Justin, Jill, Eric, Zach and Sean; great-grandchildren Molly, Mason, William, Wyatt, Holden, Owen, Stella, Whitney, Elsie, Millie and Henry.
