James Joseph Norris Obituary
James “Jimmy” Joseph Norris, age 86, of Papillion, Nebraska passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 16, 2023.
Jimmy was born March 3, 1937 to John and Mary (Murphy) Norris in the small town of Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary, Ireland. The youngest of seven children, he was a delight to his mother and a steady companion to his father. He spent his childhood playing soccer, cultivating a lifelong love of the sport, as well as fishing the River Suir with his father. At the age of 12, he lost his father to the same river, where his father had previously saved multiple lives over the years, resulting in the Andrew Carnegie Courage Award for his heroic actions.
At the age of 17, Jimmy emigrated to America in search of opportunity. He arrived in Boston in 1954 and worked a variety of jobs until joining the United States Air Force in 1958. His first duty station was Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina, with deployments to Africa and South America. He returned to Europe assigned to RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom, where he married his childhood sweetheart, Frances Power, in 1961. They were blessed with three children, John (Don) in 1963, Helena in 1964, and Brian in 1965. He was subsequently stationed back in the United States and very quickly thereafter, sent to Vietnam. He served honorably through five Vietnam campaigns, including the Tet Offensive. The remainder of his active duty time in the Air Force sent him to Germany, Florida, England, and finally to Strategic Air Command (SAC) Headquarters (HQ) in Nebraska. He served at SAC HQ until his retirement in 1986 at the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. He was awarded the Bronze Star (Vietnam), several Meritorious Service and Commendation Medals and many more for his distinguished 27 years of loyal service to his adopted country.
After his distinguished active duty career, he entered the civilian workforce at First Data Corporation until his retirement in 2002. Outside of work and family, he found his greatest joy overseeing the Nebraska's soccer referee program as the State Referee Administrator (SRA), where he spent the vast majority of his senior years continuing to cultivate the program. A constant presence at Creighton soccer games, he found great enjoyment in watching the sport flourish. His tireless work and commitment as a SRA culminated into his induction to the Nebraska State Soccer Hall of Fame with the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.
He maintained a vibrant garden and loved to watch the many birds it would attract. He was the biggest fan of his grandchildren and was adored as the perfect grandpa. His quick wit and humor brightened every room and left his Irish eyes smiling. His later years were filled with the constant joy and laughter of his "little laddies"--Michael, John, and Ford -- who found their Papa to be the best companion.
Jimmy was a humble man and devoted husband. He cherished his family and found the greatest joys in life's simplest pleasures. A man that befriended everyone he met without reservation and with a glint in his eyes; kind, gentle, accepting, and selfless. He will be loved forever and remembered always.
Jimmy is preceded in death by his parents John and Mary Norris and siblings Walter Norris of Beverly, MA; Thomas Norris of Carrick-on-Suir; John Norris of Dorchester, MA; Briget Norris of Carrick-on-Suir; Kitty Mullins of Dublin; and Nellie O’Neil of Manchester, England. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Frances; children John “Don” (Denise) Norris, Helena (Cris) Mamaril, and Brian (Tammy) Norris; grandchildren Shana (Travis) Peper, James “Jimmy” Norris (Beth), Brianna (Tyler) Busboom, Erin Mamaril, Brighid Mamaril, Kendrick Norris, and Kaitlin Norris; and great-grandchildren Michael Peper, John Peper, Ford Busboom, and soon to be Baby Busboom (January 2024).
Visitation with rosary service will be held Monday, November 27, 2023 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at Kahler-Dolce Mortuary, 441 N. Washington St, Papillion. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at 10:30 AM at St. Columbkille Catholic Church, 200 E 6th Street, Papillion. A graveside service will occur Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at 1:30 PM at Omaha National Cemetery, 14250 Schram Road, Omaha. Family requests no flowers; memorials are suggested to the Josie Harper Hospice House, Omaha, Nebraska.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at http://www.kahlerdolcemortuary.com for the Norris family.
