Always optimistic, 95-year-old James Henry Norman was making plans and inviting friends and family to his 100th birthday celebration in 2028. God had other plans for Jim after he suffered a stroke in March. He fought hard to recover, but passed away peacefully on Wednesday, the 28th of August 2024.
Jim was born in Decatur, Illinois, on the 12th of November 1928, to Anna Alt and Charles A. Norman. Jim often recounted amusing stories about growing up with his brother and sister in such an idyllic small town, where he played sandlot games in the summer and ice skated in the winter, but only after he finished his chores.
Graduating from Millikin University with a Bachelor of Science degree, Jim enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1951, earning an officer commission after graduating #1 in his class in Officer Candidate School. Acquiring his first set of wings during the Korean War, Jim guided B-47s as a navigator/bombardier serving the Strategic Air Command. He loved flying and describing the thrill and beauty of sitting in the glass-windowed nose of a B-47, navigating by the stars. Jim was very proud to serve his country, valuing the leadership and life skills he learned in the Air Force.
After leaving the USAF, Jim worked for 3M before starting his own advertising agency, JH Norman, Inc. Jim counted Dr. Pepper, Shell Oil and 7-Eleven among his biggest clients. Jim was at Dr. Pepper's headquarters so often that he was mistaken as an employee and was invited to employee events on a regular basis. His easy charm and smile became his trademark.
The trajectory of Jim's life unexpectedly changed one day as two stars aligned in 1985 at a friends' post-marathon party in Sugar Land, Texas. Jim met Gail Schwinger, the love of his life. Their courtship began with long-distance dating between Jim's home in Dallas and Gail's in Houston. Eventually, Jim figured out spending time and travelling with Gail was way more fun that his advertising business.
Jim and Gail were always together; constant companions sharing their passion for golf, travel and life with friends and family. After a 16-year engagement, they finally married, dividing their time between their "happy places" in Colorado and Cabo San Lucas. They discovered Colorado in 1984 when they played golf on the course at Beaver Creek. They made so many friends that summer they decided to go back and ski that winter. Colorado has been their summer home ever since.
In 1995, on a golf vacation in Cabo, they fell in love with the people, the water, the weather and the beautiful golf courses; Cabo has always been their special place with so many wonderful friends and local connections. Jim and Gail could usually be found on the golf course at Querencia, or at the driving range, possibly eating shrimp tacos with friends.
Before their annual migration to Cabo in 2016, Jim and Gail added a last-minute traveling companion who became the center of their world; Sam, a little dog, bounded into their lives and hearts.
One of Jim's favorite destinations in Cabo was the Club Espiritu gym at Villas del Mar, where he would enjoy his favorite pastime, working out. Jim was dedicated to staying in shape, even at 95. He had been a runner most of his life, logging 5-10 miles a day, 5 days a week. At Club Espiritu, Jim was often spotted on the treadmill, recumbent bike or lifting weights. Afterwords, with great anticipation, Jim would walk over to order his favorite smoothie at Espiritu Café.
Jim's best-loved Cabo retreat was the pergola at their home, overlooking the sparkling Sea of Cortez. He would spend countless hours avidly reading his latest book and throwing tennis balls for Sam. Binoculars were always present for spying whales, breaching in the winter and early spring. On clear evenings, Jim would excitedly point out and share the names of all the brilliant stars, his faithful beacons for safe passage through night skies. These collections of wonderful experiences with close friends and family live on as memories of a very special man.
Friends describe Jim as an inspiration with his positive attitude and love of life. Many have said they will miss his smile, which was always on his face. Others have called him a prince of a man and were honored to have called him a friend. Another close friend said his family will cherish the memories and love Jim brought into their lives. That smile and wry grin, quick wit, good humor, and love for life define the man, James Henry Norman.
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