Edwin Norris

September 5, 1925 - November 19, 2009

Edwin Norris, age 84, of Port Arthur, Texas, went home to the LORD, Thursday, November 19, 2009. He passed on at his home in Port Arthur surrounded by members of his family. Mr. Norris was born to Eugene and Effie Norris on September 5, 1925, in Mt. Sylvan, outside Tyler, Texas. Mr. Norris was a member of Groves Church of Christ where he served, in the past, as a deacon and then an elder of the church. His faithful love and service for God was a powerful example for his family and countless others. He is survived by his wife Dreba McElroy Norris, daughter Brenda Hebert and her husband Kent of Nederland, daughter Janet Norris Woods of Port Arthur, son Dale Edwin Norris and his wife Brenda of Roswell, N.M., eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. Mr. Norris worked in air-conditioning for over 42 years. He was employed by Imhoffs, McInnis and Natkins, respectively. After his retirement, he worked for Vaughn's Air-Conditioning out of Winnie, Texas. Mr. Norris was a World War II veteran and a hero to his family. Edwin joined the U.S. Army in March, 1941, at 15 years of age. Three of his brothers, Jack, Lester and Eugene, previously entered the military. He took basic training at Doddfield and joined K-Company, 9th Regiment (Manchu) 2nd Division, at Fort Sam Houston. His infantry and commando training was at Camp Bowie, Louisiana. Then on to winter training at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin, where T/SGT Norris served as recruit instructor under Colonel Jack K. Norris of the 38th Infantry. Combat duty, for T/SGT Norris, began in Northern Ireland, Wales and England. He fought in the Normandy Invasion and was wounded by mortar shell in the Normandy breakout. He served in Normandy, Southern and Northern France and Ardennes-Alsace Campaigns. T/SGT Norris was carried unconscious from the front lines sometime after the "Heartbreak Crossroads" battle, the north shoulder of the "Bulge", at Rocherath-Krinkkelt, to Wahlers-cheid. (Diagnosis-hypothermia) He was revived at a regimental-aid-station. Then he crossed country without boots to a division evacuation point. From there, he was transported to Paris, France, then England, from which he was then shipped back to the states. T/SGT Norris received a medical discharge at Dewitt General Hospital, Auburn, California, August, 1945. Technical Sergeant Norris was awarded the following medals: Combat Infantry Badge, 2 Bronze Stars w/First Oak Leaf Cluster, 2 Purple Hearts, E.A.M.E Campaign w/4 Bronze Stars w/arrowhead, Distinguished Presidential Unit Citation, Distinguished 1st Army Commander Citation Lausdell Crossroad, American Defense Medal and Good Conduct Medal. Those wishing to make memorial gifts in lieu of flowers may do so to Groves Church of Christ, 5300 Twin City Hwy, Groves, TX 77619