Fred Felton Norris, Jr., of Vero Beach, passed away peacefully on Jan. 19, 2015, in his home in Vero Beach with his wife Gail by his side.
He is survived by his loving wife Gail Beveridge-Norris; son David Norris (Marsha); daughter Brenda Norris; grandson Brandon Hyde (Lorrel); great-grandson Jackson; nephew Steven Leaf (Kim) and their children Dani and Ben; sister-in- law Joan Corder and her children Julie Pekowski and Donna Green; closest friends Jerry and Barb Flanders; and his pup dog, Suzie.
Family and friends agree that few people had as many “tools in the box” as Felton Norris. A myriad of contradictions defined him. He was equal parts scientist and salesman; carefree and serious; left brained and right; and a man of unprecedented talents. Everything he did he perfected – nothing was done halfway. Whether it was becoming a master boat captain, building a company from a local enterprise to a multi-million dollar worldwide corporation, or planning a trip, everything was done with the highest level of thought and care.
Norris was inquisitive and inspired that love of learning and self-sufficiency in every life he touched. His meticulous and passionate nature challenged those around him to strive for knowledge which enhanced the quality of life for his family both near and far.
When he traveled with his young grandson, Brandon, he would give him questions to research prior to their departure. This was Norris’ way of making sure Brandon knew about the place he was going to see and reap the full benefit of the experience.
His unique talents also gave way to diverse interests including a love of music from jazz and swing to big band sounds and Mozart, tennis, racquetball, boating, a pair of glasses for every occasion, map collecting, and mastering the grooming of the family poodle, Gidget. Norris had all the bases covered.
He was a do-it-yourself guy who had high expectations of himself and those around him. He lovingly challenged his family to be better people, full of integrity, and did not hand out hall passes. He believed there was a lesson to be learned from every failure, making him the ideal sounding board for any issues those in his life were having.
His can-do nature and push for self- improvement undoubtedly came from his humble beginnings. Raised primarily by his aunt and uncle in rural Orlando (pre- Disneyworld times) in a full house with seven other children at the tail end of the Great Depression continuing into World War II, the family grew their own vegetables, raised chickens, and had a cow for their milk, butter, and cheese.
When Norris’ uncle bought a citrus grove, they spent every Saturday watering by hand, one bucket per tree, 25 acres worth of orange trees. He became familiar with working hard early on, and after encouragement from a high school science teacher, Norris went on to work his way through college at the University of Florida, the only child in the family to continue on to college.
As an official Gator, he was active in his fraternity and graduated with a degree in chemistry. He was a proud member of the “Gator Nation” and staunch supporter of the football and basketball teams. During that same period, Norris met and eloped with his first wife, Loretta (deceased).
Soon after came his daughter Brenda and son David, and a developing career that would take the family to Alabama, North Carolina, New York, Texas and California. Norris was always involved in textiles and spent most of his career at Celanese Fibers Marketing Company developing uses for synthetic fibers. The products that he helped bring to market included pantyhose as well as double-knit fabrics used, among other things, in the finest leisure suits of the day.
Later in his career, Norris went back to Dallas to work for Snap Drape (the first patented clip-on table skirting system), where he turned a national company into a multi-million dollar international corporation, until his retirement in 1998. Most importantly, at one point during his career at Snap Drape, as the founders of the company prepared to retire, Norris had the opportunity to buy the company. He went much further and instead researched and developed an Employee Stock Ownership Plan where each employee had a stake in the company. The decision he made provided every employee with wealth and security that they could never have hoped for otherwise.
Norris’ care and respect for his employees spilled over into his home life. He was first and foremost a family man. He would melt at the sound of being called “grandpa” by his great-grandson, Jackson; excitedly talk about an internship in South Africa with the daughter of his niece; fish with his son David during visits; enjoy time with his daughter Brenda.
He and Loretta, his wife of 52 years, travelled all over the world, and were frequently joined by dear friends Jerry and Barb Flanders. While love for family was number one, tacked on to the list of his loves was that of water and everything it involved. Long before building his dream retirement home in Vero Beach, Norris built a cottage on the ocean in Sunset Beach, N.C. In “Clamalot,” family and friends spent many happy times that will always be cherished memories for those who remain.
He loved his boats and was happiest when he was around the water. Every day at 5 p.m. sharp, he and his wife Gail would take their happy hour to the dock with their Westie-poo Suzie, watch the fish jump, talk about the day, and make a game of naming images they could see in the clouds overhead. They had a quieter life because of Norris’ failing health, but they celebrated every day with each other and were deeply in love.
He loved to see the white pelicans that populated the lakes in their neighborhood. The day that Norris died, the pelicans seemed to disappear. They did not need to be there anymore, they had followed him to a better place, where he will watch over us while he drives his boat, donning a Gator’s hat and a mischievous smile, and sips on his bottom-shelf scotch.
Funeral arrangements were handled by Strunk Funeral Home and Crematory, Vero Beach, (772) 562-2325, www.strunkfuneralhome.com.
