Dave Welch Norman was born the son of Dow Norman and Vora (Bailey) Norman on July 12, 1931, in Alton, Missouri, and departed this life December 8, 2015, in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of 84 years.
He was united in marriage on March 3, 1951, at Salem, Arkansas, to his childhood sweetheart, Patsy Ruth Raley.
He is survived by his wife of sixty-four years, Patsy Norman of the home near Thayer, Missouri; two daughters, Deborah Ann Mitchener and husband, Patrick of Jonesboro, Arkansas, and Nancy Norman of Kansas City, Missouri; one son, Mark Elton Norman and wife, Shelia of Roanoke, Virginia; five grandchildren, Michelle Leigh Laws and husband, James, and Matthew Alan Mitchener and wife, Hailey, both of Jonesboro, Arkansas, Whitney (Norman) Curtis and husband, Eric of San Diego, California, Kirsten Brooke Norman and Jillian Olivia Norman, both of Roanoke, Virginia; six great grandchildren, Myka Laws, Alexa Laws, Luke Laws, Hadden Laws, Tyler Mitchener and Kipton Mitchener; one sister, Lena Neal of Springfield, Missouri; other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Dow and Vora Norman; one son, Paul David Norman; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Truman and Bessie Raley.
Dave was a graduate of Alton High School, graduating with the class of 1950. Soon thereafter, he joined Pat in attending Southwest Missouri State College in Springfield, Missouri, where he played Freshman basketball.
He was a veteran, proudly serving his country in the United States Air Force. Dave also graduated from Jet Mechanic School, earning his diploma while stationed in Champaign, Illinois.
After his honorable discharge from the Air Force, Dave and Patsy returned home and soon began dairy farming. They continued to improve their successful operation, receiving numerous awards throughout the years. They were recognized as one of the first Grade A Dairy Farms in Oregon County; six time recipient of the Registered Holstein Association Progressive Breeders Award; winner of the Missouri State Holstein Production Award; Distinguished Missouri Holstein Award winners; and Oregon County Farm Family of the Year. Dave, Pat, and their family were also honored when the family farm was recognized as a Missouri Century Farm.
During his working career, Dave was office manager for Oregon County ASCS in Alton, Missouri. He was actively involved in community and civic affairs, having served on the Couch School Board; past president of the Dairy Herd Improvement Association; former member of the Couch FFA Alumni; Oregon County Extension Council; Area 4-H Chairman; and Tucker Creek Country Club.
Dave was an avid fan of ALL sports. He loved playing golf with family and friends, coaching youth basketball and little league baseball, and especially enjoyed watching Couch Indian basketball, the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Royals.
Dave was a faithful member and former song leader of the Alton Church of Christ, attending as long as health permitted.
He will be remembered as a loving husband, dad, granddad, and great grandpa and will be greatly missed by his family, friends, neighbors, and the community in which he lived.
Funeral Services will be held Friday, December 11, 2015, at 2:00 PM in the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer.
The family will receive friends at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel on Friday, December 11th, from 1:00 PM until service time.
Burial will be in the New Salem Cemetery at Couch, Missouri, with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Alton Church of Christ and may be left at the funeral home in Thayer.
December 11, 2015 @ 9:16 am
Our prayers and love to Dave’s family. What a kind and caring individual. He was always so polite, and loving.