Wayne Everett Norris, 65
Wayne Everett Norris, 65, passed away on Nov. 11, 2018 (Veterans Day), after fighting multiple myeloma for the last two years with courage and dignity.
Wayne was born on Oct. 20, 1953, in Tacoma, Washington. He was the third of seven children. As a child they lived in many different places and he had many great adventures with his brothers and sisters. The family settled in Kalispell in 1963, where he attended school in Evergreen and Flathead High School and later took some college courses. Wayne then joined the Army and was sent to Heidelberg, Germany, for the next four years with his family. After returning, he transferred to the Army National Guard and moved to Helena where he continued his military career, eventually becoming a recruiter. Wayne made lifelong friends and enjoyed working with young men and women on their next path in life. Wayne retired from the National Guard in 1995 with the rank of sergeant first class. He had a total of 26 years of service. He then went to work for Plum Creek for the next 10 years, and then finally retired for good.
Wayne had three daughters, Carissa, Alisha and Kylee, who in turn gave him five granddaughters and two grandsons, who carry on his name. He was all about his girls and grandbabies. Wayne loved golfing with friends and family; one great memory was making a hole-in-one at Buffalo Hill Cameron 9. He was on many bowling leagues and made sure his kids knew the correct way to bowl. He loved to gamble and play the lottery and was lucky at it most of the time. He also enjoyed reading, sci-fi movies, and “Seinfeld.”
He was preceded in death by his parents, Dorothy and Dick Baker, and his little brother David Norris.
He is survived by his daughters, Carissa (Tim) Spurzem, Alisha (Jeff) Tamblyn and Kylee Norris; his grandchildren, Morgan, Audree, Clara, Everett, Luciana, Priscilla and Leonidas; his brothers, Alfred (Sun Mi) Norris, Royal (Donna) Norris, and Terry (Nancy) Norris; his sisters, Wanda (Don) Milan and Robin (Frank) Sorbin; aunt and uncle, Ruth and Buck Chapman; cousins, Sid and Brenda Chapman; and good friend Bob Cornel; along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family would like to thank Dr. Jose Ness and all the staff at Northwest Montana Radiation and Oncology, the staff of Kalispell Regional Medical Center, Brendan House and Home Care Options and Hospice for their support of Wayne and his family during the last two years.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home in Kalispell, with a reception following the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations, in his name, can be sent to Montana Special Olympics or the Veterans Food Pantry in Kalispell, or to the donor’s choice.
“Dad, sometimes we wish for you to come back, but we don’t want you to suffer again. We know you are with us and we will always love and miss you with all our hearts. Until we meet again.”
Friends are encouraged to visit the website, www.buffalohillfh.com, to leave notes of condolences for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.