Michael Norris Obituary

Michael David Norris
May 11, 1948 - January 24, 2010

Michael D. Norris was born May 11, 1948, in Frankfurt Germany, to William G. Norris and Iris E. Norris. His youth was spent in Cleveland, Ohio, alongside his brother, Pat and sister, Mary Jane. As a young boy Mike was recognized as an "excellent hunter and trapper" in the local Cleveland press. This was just a start to Mike's many spirited adventures. His father was a 1936 middleweight boxing champion in Texas, and carrying on his father's legacy, Mike competed for the Golden Gloves title. With this same hunger for victory he pursued his high school football career making his father proud as he looked on from the stands in a victorious kickoff return leading his Richmond Heights football team to victory. His love for football would later be revisited as he found joy and fulfillment as a coach to his own son and mentor to all who loved the game.

Mike graduated from Richmond Heights High School in 1966 and joined the army as part of the Special Forces. Following his service in the military, his father, Captain William Gerald Norris, passed away in 1969. Mike was close to his father and this was a sad time in his life.

With his continued sense of adventure, Mike and some Cleveland friends opened the store Halcyon Daze, the first of its kind to sell bell-bottom jeans, and he was soon off to Woodstock to celebrate three days of peace and love. In search of bigger trees and the solitude of the mountains of the West, he headed towards the golden gates of San Francisco. Looking for love and community, his heart lead him into the forests of Oregon where he settled at a commune in Selma and met his wife and the mother of his children. Mike mined for gold where he and his family lived for 10 years off of the grid at Gold Dollar Mine on Sucker Creek outside Cave Junction. At this same time in his life Mike also pursued bareback bronc riding and took his family on many rodeo adventures. Mike was not afraid to try anything, and he loved to share his adventuresome stories. Mike was a logger in the Oregon woods and a true mountain man. Mike moved to the Rogue Valley in 1982 and soon came to know the Lord as his Savior and was involved with the building of the Applegate Christian Fellowship. During this time of his life, Mike developed some amazing life-long friendships. His humor lit up a room, and children gathered around him wherever he went, as Mike loved to display his child-like heart and humorous antics. Mike touched the lives of many people and loved to minister to others. He spent time as a youth leader and several years going on missionary trips into Central America, which he shared with his children. Living in Medford, he became involved in the auto business opening his store Budget Imports and later opening Cornerstone Auto with his son Forest. Mike continued to enjoy the many friendships and laughter he shared working as a car dealer. Mike's love of football lead him to coaching the Hedrick Hornets, which was the beginning of many years of coaching football at both Hedrick and North Medford High School. These were some of his fondest days, and he was sure to make every kid feel special and had a nickname for everyone.

Mike cherished spending time with his grandson Izaya and many friends at his cabin above Dead Indian in Ashland, where he planned on moving to full time in the spring of 2010.

Mike is survived by his son, Forest, of Medford, Ore.; his daughter, Violet, her husband Travis and their son, Izaya of Encinitas, Calif.; brother, Pat and his wife, Terry along with nephews, Will and John of Kalamazoo, Mich.; and his sister, Mary Jane and niece, Ellian of San Rafael, Calif.

There will be a memorial service in celebration of Mike's life on Sunday, January 31, 2010, 2:00 p.m. at Mountain Christian Fellowship located at 1 East Main Street Medford, OR. In honor of Michael D. Norris donations to "The Mission" may be made payable to Applegate Christian Fellowship in his remembrance. Donations will also be accepted at the service.