ALVORD, TX — James C. Norman, business consultant, died peacefully at home March 20, surrounded by his loving wife, children, and grandchildren. Jim’s cancer ended his earthly life, but he leaves a legacy of faith through his family.
He was born to James T. Norman and Mable Taylor Norman, November 7, 1942 in Harleton, Texas. Jim grew up in North Richland Hills, graduated high school in San Antonio at Peacock Military Academy and earned his B.A. at Texas Christian University in 1964.
Following college Jim served his country as an officer in the OSI division of the United States Air Force at Luzon, Philippines. After resuming civilian life, he began a business career in residential property management and served as president of the Texas Apartment Association in 1979-80 while heading Norman Property Management. Norman Services Corporation was established in 1988, under which Jim served as President of the Zig Ziglar Corporation for six years. His later years were spent helping others build their brands and their businesses.
Jim and his wife Julie, married June 25, 1983 blending their children from previous marriages to create a strong family bond, rooted in faith. The strength of their family was hard won as Jim and Julie fought for their marriage by honoring the vows they had made before God. The fruit of their victory resulted in a sweet bond of love and respect that became a witness of commitment and perseverance to others.
As a born-again Christian, Jim pursued every opportunity to witness for his faith. He hosted a Christian radio program, Wise People, for several years and led a faith-based Alcoholics Anonymous group at John R. Lindsey State Jail, as well. Jim’s natural good humor and wit, coupled with his intellectual curiosity and knowledge of scripture enabled him to be a popular Sunday school teacher at his home church, Mt. Zion Baptist, in Alvord. His online Christian blog, The God Wall, at www.thegodwall.com has touched countless lives.
One message that Jim loved to share with people is how God revealed to him that his own life was “None of my business” and that his primary responsibility was to “just get out of God’s way” so that God might glorify Himself. God’s glory became paramount in Jim’s life following his cancer diagnosis. In his final hours he spoke to his grandsons of the importance of having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Ever the funny one, Jim enjoyed spinning tall tales for his children and grandchildren. We will never forget the secret laboratory underneath the house where Jim concocted his ‘inventions’ that included, but were not limited to: conveyor belts, action figures, and an assortment of other things. Unfortunately, there was a huge explosion in 2010 and the secret laboratory’s demise was announced in the newspaper. He was an expert on ‘cow placement’ teaching his children and grandchildren the specifics and advantages of properly placing ones cow in a pasture according to even color distribution and distance apart. For decades we even believed him when he told us about the ‘three-legged’ cow that made its home in an East Texas pasture. And how could we forget the booger and the bicycle joke or the time he hired LB Gnat (little bitty gnat) to create the first t-shirt made by gnats for humans at the gnat factory in Hartford, CT? We will miss his silly sense of humor and his witty stories.
Although we feel a sense of loss without him here, we know that he is healed and whole.
Funeral: 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 24 at Compass Christian Church, Grapevine, Texas, Pastors Gene Smith and Dr. Michael Feese officiating.
Visitation: 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Monday, March 23 at Thompson’s, Harveson and Cole Funeral Home, Fort Worth
Burial: 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 24 at Lindale City Cemetery, Lindale, Texas.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, James T. Norman and Mable Taylor Norman, and his granddaughter, Phoebe Fair.
James Curtis Norman is survived by his wife of 31 years, Julie Ziglar Norman; sister, Anne Norman; sons, Larry A. Mayhan, Jr., James E. Norman and wife, Christi; daughters, Cheryl (DeDe) Galindo and husband, Gus, Jennifer (Jenni) Haecker, Amey Fair and husband, Nathan; grandchildren, Kristina Schrag and husband, Aaron, Desiree Spotts and husband, Timothy, James (Jake) T. Norman, Gustavo (Sam) Galindo, Robert Galindo, Parker Norman, Mable Haecker, Molly Haecker, Benjamin Fair, Averic Fair, Deacon Fair, Thatcher Fair, Brent Mayhan, Sophia Mayhan; great grandchildren, Kyle Schrag, Kalloway Schrag, Stephen Spotts and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Memorials:
Cure AT/RT Now,
Donate at cureatrt.org
Autism Speaks, autismspeaks.com