Ramon "Ray" Lee Norris Jr.

On July 14, 2023, Ramon (Ray) Lee Norris, Jr passed away. He was born on August 6, 1936 in Decatur to Bessie and Ramon Lee Norris Sr. Ray graduated from Decatur High School in 1954. While in high school, Ray earned the rank of Eagle Scout and the Explorer Silver Award in scouting. He worked at Goidel Drugstore where his passion for helping people fueled a love and career in pharmacy. Ray graduated from Auburn University 1958 with a degree in pharmacy and returned to Decatur to begin his 50 plus year career in Pharmacy. It was while attending Auburn that he met his cherished wife D. Ann Norris.

Ray was active in the Alabama Pharmaceutical Association and worked at Goidels in Decatur and Strickland Drug in Hartselle before opening his own pharmacy, Modern Apothecary, in Decatur which he managed for 37 years. Ray cared deeply about his customers and was known to fill prescriptions in the middle of the night taking along his great dane Dokken for companionship. After retirement, Ray’s commitment to the community continued when he researched and implemented the pharmacy section of the Community Free Clinic for which he volunteered and managed for ten years.

In addition to the free clinic, Ray invested in others through being a Scoutmaster, an active member of the Jaycees and Kiwanis, as well as serving as a Deacon, Elder and Trustee in the Presbyterian Church. He received the John A Cadell Award by the Decatur General Hospital Foundation, granted the Points of Light Award through the Volunteer Center, and was named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Daybreak Rotary Club in Decatur.

Ray’s love for God, his family and Auburn were obvious in everything he did. He inspired and invested in those around him, making them feel important and loved.

He was survived by his wife of 64 years, D. Ann Norris, his three children and their spouses: Reverend Laura Norris-Buisch and husband Reverend Stuart Buisch, Gary Norris and wife Melissa Norris and Carol Burkett and husband Chris Burkett. Ray had five grandchildren: Megan Norris, Jake Norris, Quin Buisch, Maddy Buisch and Luke Norris and several nieces and nephews.

Services for Ray will be Friday July 21, 2023 at St Andrews Presbyterian Church in Decatur. The visitation will be held from 2-3 and the Celebration of Life will be from 3-4.

In lieu of flowers, donates can be made to the Decatur Community Free Clinic, St Andrews Church, or a charity of your choice