Donald Norris

Funeral services for Donald Bernard Norris, 92, Lawrence, will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, March 3, 2011 at University Community of Christ Church in Lawrence.  Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery in Lawrence.  Mr. Norris died February 27, 2011 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

He was born February 15, 1919 in Butte, Montana, the son of Gilson R. and Gertrude Grace Jones Norris.

Mr. Norris lived in Lawrence most of his life.  He graduated from Liberty Memorial High School in 1937.  He entered the U. S. Army and served in WWII.

He was an engineer for Lawrence Paper Company for 46 years before retiring in 1983.  He was co founder of Norris Brothers Plumbing & Electrical in 1945.

Donald was a member of the University Community of Christ Church.

He married Ruth Anna Cripe on July 20, 1941 in Lawrence, KS.  She preceded him in death March 7, 1994.  He then married, Ida Mae Walker on March 3, 1996.  She preceded him in death March 6, 1997.

Survivors include two daughters; Pamela R. Cook, Lecompton, KS, and Nikola Osburn, Lawrence; one son, Kenneth Norris, Lawrence, KS; three step daughters, Barbara Ott, Wellsville, KS, Betty LaRue, Wellsville, KS, Shirley Walker, Lawrence, KS; thirteen grandchildren; Daniel, Richard, Charles, Timothy, Wendy, Bradley, Jill, Keith, Scott, Kirsten, Ryan, Lynley, Ashley, Cameron, And Caleb; twenty great grandchildren; four sister, Lorraine Yeubanks, Tulsa, OK;  Lois Brewster, Independence, MO, Donna Sintz, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Janice Fountain, Independence, MO.  He was also preceded in death by his parents; step-mother, Blanche Norris, February 25, 1998; son, Ronald B. Norris, February, 3, 2000 ; one step son, Gary Walker, February 15, 2005, six brothers, Walden, Claude, Gerald, Wayne, Everett, and Glendon.

The family will greet friends 6 – 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at the Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.

The family suggests memorials in his name to the University Community of Christ Church and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.

Online condolences may be sent to www.warrenmcelwain.com.