Born in St. Louis, Missouri, he lived in several parts of the U.S. before his dad took a job in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and moved his family there before the end of World War II. Young Norman loved East Tennessee’s hills, valleys, lakes, and rivers. He reveled in the paradise of nature that was his backyard.
A long-standing member of the Masonic Brotherhood, he began as a DeMolay member as a boy. He was also a Boy Scout of the first order. He enjoyed sports, hiking, and all manner of other outdoor activities.
He also enjoyed the challenges offered by his Oak Ridge schooling. Pleasant was a member of the first graduating class of the newly constructed Oak Ridge High School. He earned an electrical engineering degree from the University of Tennessee, while also working as an electrician at Oak Ridge’s K-25 facility.
From Oak Ridge, he moved to the D.C. area to serve in the U.S. Army, where he taught as a faculty member in the prestigious Redstone program.
As an Oak Ridger, he married UT student Norma Carr from Cookeville, Tennessee. They had two sons, Richard Mark and Kevin Neal. In 1969, the family moved to Houston, Texas. Thereafter, he worked for many years as an electrical engineer in business for himself and others. He served on many corporate boards and civic committees for business and community benefit. He retired as an engineer for the State of Texas.
At retirement, he and his wife moved to Hilltop Lakes, Texas. There, he immersed himself in many volunteer activities, including training and working as an EMT for first responder services in the community. He also loved working with children and making contributions to their education. The children especially enjoyed hearing stories about his love of the ocean and his adventurous experiences as a deep sea diver. He was recognized by the Texas State Board of Education as a “Hero for Children.”
After the passing of his first wife, he married Violette Morris Solt in Knoxville, Tennessee, and the couple began their married life in Golden, Colorado, where Vi had long lived. Health concerns brought Norm and Vi to Knoxville, Tennessee, where they could live near family members. He lived the remainder of his life in the company of family and friends. He lived life fully and with a sense of humor and was always up for adventure. Most importantly, his Christian commitment guided his life.
He is survived by wife Violette Pleasant, of Knoxville; son Rick Pleasant, of Arlington, Texas; son Kevin Pleasant and his family, wife Sandy, grandson Brandon, and granddaughter Candace of Houston, Texas; sister Jnell Pleasant of Oak Ridge, Tennessee; and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. He was preceded in death by mother Nelle Gray Adams Pleasant, father John William Pleasant, and his first wife Norma Pleasant of Hilltop Lakes, Texas.
The family will receive friends from 5-7pm on Wednesday, April 11, with the funeral service to follow at 7pm at Berry Highland Memorial Funeral Home, 5315 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. The Reverend Dr. Tony Taylor, pastor of Hilltop Lakes Chapel, Texas, will officiate. Family and friends will meet at 9:45am on Thursday, April 12, for a 10 am interment at Berry Highland Cemetery.
