Jesse Vernon Norris

Vernon, son of the late Jesse Norris and Ruby Morgan Norris, was born in 1939 in Fowler, CA and spent his early years in Dumas, AR. He was a 1958 graduate of Parker High School, where he excelled in sports. He turned down a football scholarship to join the United States Air Force and work in communications. During his years in the military, he enjoyed being stationed in Germany, where he met and married his beloved wife, Christel Schroder.

After serving his country for 4 years, Vernon returned to Parker, where he took over Norris Market. Following the untimely death of his cherished Christel after nearly 10 years of marriage, Vernon was blessed to find true and lasting love a second time. He married Kathleen “Patty” Byrd, with whom he recently celebrated their 49th anniversary. As he raised his family, Vernon continued to serve the Parker community by partnering with his brother to own and operate Western Auto and the Western Auto Home Store. Vernon took great pride and joy in his work, faith and family.

During his retirement, Vernon and Patty, a nurse, spent time in Tucson, AZ, Nicholasville, KY, Lake Havasu City, AZ, and Prescott Valley, AZ before returning to Parker. Vernon considered Grace Assembly of God his church home. He was grateful for the lifelong friendships he made there and within the Parker community.

In addition to his parents and Christel, Vernon was preceded in death by his sister, Sandra and nephew Daniel Pierce and grandson, Tylor Harper. He is survived by his wife, Patty, children Robert, Andrew, Barbara, Heidi, Jennifer, Elizabeth, 19 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, sister Charlotte (Leonard) Cox, brother Kerry (Roxanne) Norris, step-mother Dora Norris-Tony Lopez and a host of nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

A celebration of Vernon’s life will be held on Saturday, November 5, 2022, at 11:00 am, at Grace Assembly of God, 1821 Navajo Ave. in Parker, AZ. A luncheon will follow. At Vernon’s request, in lieu of flowers, donations to the Wounded Warrior Project will be accepted at the service or may be made directly to the organization in his memory.