Goodbye Grandpa Norman

On April 29 (Wendy's birthday) Grandpa Norman passed away. He was 94 years old. He and Grandma had celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary a couple of weeks before. Grandpa Rex was taken to the hospital at 3:00 in the morning. He was in a coma. Many family members were able to go to the hospital that day to see him and say their good-byes. Grandpa slipped away peacefully around 11:35 that night.

The funeral was May 5th (Derek's Birthday). Both Wendy and Jen recounted their memories on their family blogs. The Jensen Journal - Grandpa Norman Funeral and Memories. The Blackham Bunch - Goodbye Grandpa Norman. Both contain memories of Grandpa, and some reactions from the grandkids that might not have been known to everyone else.

(click on image to enlarge)

The Obituary ...

August 31, 1915 ~ April 29, 2010

On April 29, 2010, our beloved father and grandfather, Rex Norman, passed away peacefully after almost 95 years of a rich life. He leaves behind for a short season Zada, his eternal sweetheart and companion of 72 years. In their quiet and unassuming manner, they raised three children and left a legacy of five generations of 73 strong and contributing individuals, who love and revere them. As dad goes to prepare a mansion to receive her we will continue to care for our mom.

Dad was born in Richfield, Utah to Herbert LaVar and Louella McGee Norman. The family moved to Mt. Pleasant, UT where he eventually met and married Zada Howell of Fairview in the LDS Manti Temple on April 13, 1938. As a father of three, he proudly served in the Army Air Corp during WWII. They settled in Salt Lake City, where dad commenced a career in data processing, working some 33 years with the Utah State Department of Employment Security.

Dad’s favorite hobbies were hunting and fishing with family and friends, often near his ancestral home in Sanpete County or Strawberry Reservoir. He faithfully served in many capacities within his LDS ward, typically in the background, while proudly supporting his family and friends.

Rex is survived by his wife; Zada, daughters Nelva (Arnold) Griffiths, and Marjorie (LaMar) Westra and a son Merrill (Lorrie); sister Bonnie (Wallace) Allred; 16 grandchildren; 51 great-grandchildren and a great, great-granddaughter.

Preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers, a sister and two grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at noon, Wed. May 5th at East Millcreek 9th Ward Chapel, 3750 So. Hillside Lane (2500 E.), where family and friends may call Tues, evening 6-8 p.m. and 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. prior to services on Wed. Interment at Larkin Sunset Lawn.

As part of the service, there was a vase filled with beautiful red roses. 

73 roses -- one for each of Grandma and Grandpa's descendants. 

We were all instructed to take one for each family member.

At the luncheon afterward, there was a lot of visiting and remembering with relatives and cousins we hadn't seen in a while. Goodbye Grandpa ... you will be missed. 

Read Grandpa Rex's autobiography and check out all the posts about Grandpa Rex.