Randy Gene Norris

Randy Gene Norris, son of Dean and Ruth (Hill) Norris, was born in Danville, Illinois on September 26, 1948, and departed this life on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri. He was at the time of his passing 74 years, two months, and 11 days of age. This is that part of an obituary where you describe the person’s life. But how do you fit all the love and adoration Dad had from his family and friends over such a long life into a few paragraphs? You start with the memories and the things that they taught us. Both of our parents taught us to hug and kiss hello and goodbye. Just running an errand to town started with a kiss goodbye and an “I love you. Be back in a jiff!”. To which he would reply, “I love you, too. Hurry back. I miss you already!” Mom and Dad knew each other since they were kids, but it really started on a Palm Sunday when they were teenagers. Dad sat behind Mom in church and kept hitting the back of her head with his palm frond, just to get her to turn around and look at him. Then he would keep driving around the block just to see her walking home. He loved her so much even then. Fifty-Three years ago they were married and started a family. The love and devotion they shared for each other was an inspiration and blessing to their children. His wife and children share many beloved memories together, from family vacations spent camping all across America to holidays or just normal everyday days. Dad teaching Eric to drive at Kickapoo State Park and Kennekuk Cove when he was way too young to do so, but to which Dad trusted him to do well. Or when he would carry mail all day long, go home and change clothes to drive an hour and a half to Charleston, IL to listen to one of Eric’s Wind Ensemble or Jazz Ensemble concerts…then drive back home and get up a few hours later to carry mail again all day. Even Eric admits the classical music probably bored Dad to tears…but he was there to show his love and support to his son who he loved dearly and was very proud of. Or when his daughter was living in Memphis and robbed twice in two weeks, he would stay up all night on the phone with Cheryl keeping her company so she would not be scared. When the sun came up and she could sleep, he had to go to work. How he would take her Spring Break off so they could spend the week together doing Father Daughter things like picnic, fish, and fly kites. Those days would end with a drive around Danville to all the places he knew growing up on the East end and the stories of his brothers, sister, and friends from Iowa Street. All of us have fond memories of meeting him on his mail route in the parking lot of the Harrison Park Golf Course to eat lunch. He was on the same route for much of his 31 years with the Post Office in Danville, IL and still kept in contact with some of his former patrons. He was more than a mail carrier to many of them. He had helped them install their air conditioners, played catch with their kids, and started their lawn mowers for them. He was even a sympathetic ear and shoulder on which to cry for the loss of their loved ones. Not enough room to say everything that can be said. But just as he would say before going anywhere after a kiss goodbye, “Hurry back Dad. We love you and miss you already!” Randy was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers, Kenneth Norris, Phillip Norris, Bruce Norris, and Donald Norris. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Sharon Norris; one son, Eric Norris of Roodhouse, Illinois; one daughter, Cheryl Norris of Half Way, Missouri; two grandchildren, Michael Norris and Marcie Norris; one sister, Debbie Johnson & husband Mike of Fair Grove, Missouri; and a whole host of other family and friends. Cremation rites are being accorded by the Cantlon-Otterness & Viets Funeral Home of Buffalo, Missouri. Inturment will take place at a later date in Illinois.

Randy Gene Norris

September 26, 1948 - December 7, 2022