Norman Ocalon Pake

Norman Ocalon Pake was born in Elizabeth City, NC on January 11, 1925 to Peggy and Leslie Pake. He was their only child and moved to New Bern, NC early in his life. Sadly, his parents divorced, and his mother moved to Miami, FL. His father continued living in New Bern with Norman. Their lives were interesting as they moved about, living in various places in town and meeting people that Norman remembered throughout his life.

Norman met Eva Brinson in school and thought she was a beautiful girl. After dating for a while, they married and had one son, Steven Leslie Pake. Sunnyside was their home for over 50 years until Eva died and Norman had moved to Assisted Living at Courtyards. Hurricane Florence washed through their home in 2018, destroying the interior.

Norman was a happy man and loved to laugh at a good joke or personal experience story. He played the harmonica, listened to classical and Big Band music, loved to dance, and enjoyed his cat "Boots". After his beloved wife died in 1996, he became a regular for breakfast at The Country Biscuit with his old friends.

Later in his life, before he lost his sight, he took art lessons and produced many lovely paintings of the NC mountains, memories of boats and streams, and of a special girl in a pink dress

Norman was a longtime member of First Baptist Church. He was baptized there and was a member of the Baraca Class, attending as long as his health permitted. He was in attendance there the Sunday in 1948 when President Harry S. Truman visited the church, even sitting on the pew just in front of the president.

After his wife died, Norman joined the Masonic Order and became a Mason, a member of the York Rite, the Scottish Rite and the Shrine. He was active in each order, serving enjoyably in the Camel Drivers Unit of the Shrine as long as he could.

Norman worked in several jobs in New Bern. He worked for Piedmont Airlines in Miami, FL where he lived for several years with his mother. He worked for thirty-nine years at Cherry Point giving instructions to new workers who came into his office at NARF.

He is survived by his son, Steven, of Virginia Beach, VA; three grandchildren: Jordan, Edgar, and Ashley; old, close friends Richard and Beth Wagner; and his newer friends at Courtyards.

Norman peacefully passed into his Heavenly home at two forty-five on the morning of October 6th. He had lived at Courtyards of Berne Village for seven-and one-half years.

We wish to thank the staff of Courtyards, Dr. Lorio, Dr. Klein, and Hospice for their care and kindness to Norman.

A graveside service will be held at Cedar Grove Cemetery on Saturday, October 10, 2020 at ten o'clock, officiated by Reverend Dr. Richard Seagle. His cremains will be placed alongside his wife on the Brinson lot. All Covid-19 virus precautions will be observed.

Memorials may be given to First Baptist Church, PO Box 1463, New Bern, NC 28563, or to the charity of one's choice.

Cotten Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family.