Michael Norris

On Tuesday, July 20th, 2021, Michael David Norris, loving son to David and Deborah Norris, adored brother to his three sisters Kelly, Jesse and Annie, passed away at the age of 35. Mike was born on August 14th, 1985 in Kalamazoo, MI. Fondly known as Mikey, he was the fourth child and only son born to Dave and Debby. He actually had four mamas, his older sisters AND his mother, whom through his life he greeted always with "Mama" and his dad with "Papa". Mike went to Gobles Public Schools in Gobles, MI from kindergarten through the 12th grade, graduating in June, 2004. He played many sports including soccer, baseball and basketball but it was evident his true passion was football. He started at a young age with Rocket football. Mike continued through JV then Varsity football teams at Gobles High School. He formed lifelong relationships with his team and classmates and won the Spirit Award in football his senior year, which should surprise no one who knows Mike. His Gobles football team members were a tight knit group who stayed near and dear to him throughout Mike's entire life. He was an avid collector of sports memorabilia including numerous jerseys as well as collections of football helmets, bobble heads and sports cards. Everyone knows that University of Michigan was Mike's #1 Team. Tom Brady was his favorite pro player. He loved his sports. Mikey cherished his family. He loved and respected his grandparents, aunts and uncles, as they did him. He had a unique and special bond with each of his eight cousins. He loved his sisters dearly. Many fond memories were made with all of them during family road trips to share time with relatives in West Virginia, Big Moose Lake, NY, Bethany Beach, DE, Ocean City, MD, and Scott Lake, MI at Grandpa's Cottage. Family Weddings were attended in Maine, Vermont and Michigan. He cruised to Mexico with family to celebrate his grandparents' 50th anniversary. Family trips to Cancun were memorable. On a visit to Washington, D.C. and Maryland, Mike and family visited Annapolis where he was fortunate to watch the Blue Angels conduct a fly over the Severn River. Even at the young age of 5 this made a lasting impression! Immediately after high school graduation Mike proudly joined the United States Navy, becoming a Hospital Navy Corpsman for the Marines with 2 tours to Iraq followed by a tour assigned to the USS Bataan (LHD-5) operating in the Mediterranean and Arabian Gulf. His last months of duty were spent at Great Lakes Naval Hospital in Waukegan, IL. He served from September 28, 2004 – 2010. During his period of service, he was awarded: Fleet Marine Force Warfare (FMF), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal (EFA), National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Sea Service Deployment Ribbons (3), Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon. Upon his honorable discharge from the USN in 2010, Mike moved back to Michigan where he began what would become his career with State Farm Insurance Operations in Portage, MI. Earning several promotions and transfers including to the State Farm Investigative Unit in Dupont, WA, Mike transferred to State Farm Operations in Tempe in 2018 where he was most recently promoted to a Team Manager. He bought his first home in San Tan Valley, AZ in 2018. During his career at State Farm, Mike received his Bachelor of Science degree from California Coast University where he graduated Cum Laude. When Covid became rampant in March, 2020 the State Farm office computers were boxed up and converted to home networks where Mike then managed his State Farm team remotely from his home in the Valley. His dogs loved the new "work from home" idea so that he could be home all day with them. Mike was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Dr. Fenimore T Johnson and Mabel (Vickers) Johnson RN. He is survived by his parents David and Deborah (Johnson) Norris, three sisters, Kelly (Norris) Griffin and husband Carter, Jessica (Norris) Johnson and Andrea (Norris) Tripp, as well as his paternal grandparents, Arthur and Barbara (Wilson) Norris. Mike is also survived by man's best friends, his loyal dogs Murphy and Dobie, who were lucky pups to have season tickets for front row seats on the sofa to watch non-stop sporting events with their loving Dog Dad. Uncle Mikey truly had a big heart for his nieces and nephews, Kaelynn, Alyson, Bella, Maddox, Emma, and Jameson, along with many cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends who all adored him. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service for Mike will be held on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at 11:00 am at: Cornerstone Church Caledonia Campus 1675 84th St SE Caledonia, MI 49316 Family will meet with visitors at the church at 10:00 am prior to services and afterwards where visitors can join them for light refreshments at the church HUB area. Mike loved, served, and cared about people from all walks of life regardless of their race, nationality, gender, age and so much more. His sense of humor was out of this world. Michael served his country with immeasurable sacrifice. We are all better people for sharing all the wonderful pieces of him. [m.figg] We shall treasure his Big Smile and even Bigger Heart. Donations may be made to a cause dear to Mike's heart: Pat Tillman Foundation (pattillmanfoundation.org)