Obituary: Norris, Edwin E.

NORRIS, Edwin E. October 3, 1936- March 9, 2015 After putting up a courageous battle with cancer, Ed (Edwin) Norris passed away on Monday, March 9th with his family by his side, and joined his wife Jodie in heaven.

Ed was born in Mitchell, SD on October 3rd, 1936.

Ed’s parents homesteaded outside of Wasilla, Alaska when he was a boy and Ed had many stories he shared around this adventurous time of his life.

His folks worked primarily in the restaurant business and over the years they owned and operated many in the Spokane area where Ed lived, worked and played.

This included the cafe at the former Cathy’s Grove Resort on Diamond Lake where Ed had a paper route delivering around the lake, and the L & E Cafe on north Market (now Sportsman Cafe) to name a couple.

Ed graduated from Lewis and Clark HS in 1954 and went to work cutting pulp wood for .50 cents an hour and 10 hour days.

After working several jobs including construction in Alaska and roofing in Oregon, Ed returned home to Spokane and began work as a lineman for Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Co. (now CenturyLink).

After two cold winters climbing poles Ed went active duty in the Navy Air Reserves and was assigned to the USS Wasp aircraft carrier stationed in Boston, where his initial job was gassing airplanes on the flight deck.

His travels in the Navy included Northern France, Scotland, Cuba, Rome, Greece and the French Riviera.

After the Navy, Ed attended EWU for a short while before going back to the telephone company digging ditches and rose through the ranks eventually became an Engineering Manager.

It was at the phone company that he met the love of his life, Jodie, who was a switchboard operator.

After 30 years of perfect attendance working for the phone company, Ed took early retirement in 1986 and contracted back to the company for many years doing right-of-way work that he enjoyed immensely.

Ed and Jodie also operated the Bigfoot tavern from 1984 to 1986 where many friends were made.

Ed was an incredible husband who selflessly and compassionately took care of his wife for the last eight years of her life while she suffered with pain from osteoporosis.

He was also an incredible caring father and grandfather who unquestionably put his family first with all he did.

After Jodie passed away in 2012, Ed was able to travel to Arizona for two winters which was always on his ‘bucket list’.

Ed traveled many times over his final years including trips to Las Vegas and Laughlin, and finally his last major trip in 2014 to Oahu, Hawaii with his daughter and granddaughter.

Ed will always be known for his amazing sense of humor, his laughter, and his passion for life.

Ed was a friend to all, and as such, was cared for and loved by many.

Preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Jodie (Joanne) Norris (Ring); his father Ed (William) and his mother Lucille Norris.

Ed is survived by his three children: sons Greg (Lisa) and Brian Norris, and daughter Connie Norris.

Ed was grandfather to Erica and Aaron Norris, and Danielle Wood.

Other family members include his brother-in-law Vern Olson; niece’s, Patty Oates and Michelle Distelhorst, and nephew Jim Latusky.

The family would like to deeply thank Ed’s friends and neighbors who helped provide love, care, support and friendship to Ed.

They would also like to thank the staff and residents of Fairwinds Retirement Community for making his last weeks enjoyable.

Visitation will be Thursday and Friday 10:00-5:00 PM at Heritage and a Graveside Funeral Service will be held 12:30 Saturday, March 21, 2015 at Riverside Memorial Park with the Rev.

Happy Watkins officiating.

A Celebration of Ed’s Life will also be held from 3:00 to 6:00 PM on Saturday, May 2nd at the Eagles Lodge at 6410 N. Lidgerwood.

In lieu of flowers the Norris family would appreciate donations to: Cancer Can’t at http://www.cancercant.info/home.html a local organization improving the lives of those battling cancer.