John H Norman

Frederick County Orphans' Court Judge John H. Norman, 73, of Frederick, died suddenly Wednesday evening, Sept. 29, 2010, at Frederick Memorial Hospital. He was the loving husband of Gail Mesa Norman. Born Nov. 17, 1936, in Baltimore, he was the son of the late Harry Aquila and Doris Theresa Merryman Norman. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1953 to 1958. Judge Norman was a 20-year resident of Frederick County and traces his roots in Maryland back to the original settlers of the state.

He is survived by his beloved and devoted wife and life partner, Gail Mesa Norman, who lives in Frederick City, where they have both been active in the political and community life of the city. They are the parents of seven children; 21 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

As a community activist, citizen advocate and nonprofit volunteer, Judge Norman had a long and recognized history of service on behalf of the homeless and economically deprived. He saw his position on the Orphans' Court as an opportunity to continue that service. Judge Norman had provided both volunteer and professional services to organizations, including Community for Creative Non-Violence, Ministries for Christian Life Endeavors, Frederick Advocates for the Homeless, House of Ruth, homeless veterans groups and just recently the Sugarloaf Chapter of the Ninety-Nines, a nonprofit organization promoting and funding careers in aviation for women. He had also been an active supporter of Frederick's law enforcement community and served on the Sheriff's Citizens Advisory Committee.

Judge Norman was a participating member of the Maryland Association of Judges of the Orphans' Court (MAJOC). His professional career included project manager for King and Associates Professional Engineers; senior vice president for special projects, Architectural Design Consultants; senior field engineer, Engineering Design Group; and retired coordinator, Facilities Management & Construction, Jefferson County Schools, W.Va. He was an avid boater, golfer and pilot and held a black belt in karate.

John was predeceased by his brothers, Ronnie Norman and Buckey Grover; and his son, Michael Norman.

He is survived by his sister, Terri Martz and her husband, David Martz, of Boonsboro; brother, Dan Norman and Kym Gysbert of Hagerstown; and sisters, Grace Hill of Maryland and Bernice Basil of Florida. He is also survived by son, Lane Norman and wife, Mary, of Rockville; son, Dax Norman and wife, Carol, of Marriottsville; daughter, Valaree Norman Dickerson and husband, Craig, of Poolesville; daughter, Ayna Ford of Kent Island, Md.; son, Jonathan Norman and wife, Melissa, of Clarksburg, W.Va.; and daughter, Valerie Joan Norman of Maryland. He is also survived by 21 grandchildren, Michael Norman, Michelle Roscoe, Catherine Teixeira, Russell Norman, Grace Norman, Jared Norman, Chris Norman, Natilee Norman, Kyle, Kevin and Cameron Dickerson, Kasi Windham, Kylee Signor, Katie and Victoria Norman, Savannah, Tyler, Madison and Charlotte Norman, Grace and Pamela Norman; and close friend and cousin, Nancy Ranks of Fort Pierce, Fla. He is also survived by numerous loving great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers and sisters-in-law; and a very special golden retriever named Ripley.

A special memorial service to celebrate John's life with music, family, friends and food will be held, rain or shine, at the pavilion at White's Ferry, 24801 White Ferry Road, Poolesville. His ashes will be poured into the Potomac River -- that he loved -- at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 7.

Arrangements are by Keeney and Basford, P.A., Funeral Home, Frederick. Condolences may be shared with the family at Keeney Basford.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Share Our Strength, No Kid Hungry at the Judge John Norman Fund, 1730 M St., Suite 700, Washington D.C., 20036, attention Kate Thomas, an organization dedicated to eliminating childhood hunger in Maryland, a goal John felt strongly about and shared with Gov. Martin O'Malley.