Joe Lane Norcross

Joe passed away peacefully at home in Hanford on Thursday, September 1, 2011. Born on October 19, 1950 as the 2nd of twins in Hawthorne, California, he and his twin Robert Norcross were the only children of Katie Mae Lane and Leland Joe Norcross.

Joe attended Hawthorne High School, and then attended Dominguez Hills Junior college before graduating from Pepperdine University in 1975 with his Juris Doctor. Joe passed his Bar Exam in 1975 and began practicing law in Fresno in 1976. Joe moved to Hanford in 1977 working both for Kings County as a contract defense attorney as well as private criminal defense practice.

Joe was a Christian – accepting the Lord Jesus as his savior as a young child in the Del Air Baptist Church in Hawthorne California. Joe lived his life for God.

Joe was active in the noon Kiwanis club, the Christian Businessmen’s Association, the Gideon’s and the California Band Directors Association. One of Joe’s many loves was music and he played the tuba in many valley community bands, including the Kingsburg Community band every summer and the Tule British Brass Band. Joe was very active in the Salvation Army - managing the kettle drives for years with the help of so many wonderful community people - tirelessly assisting the needy in Kings County. Joe loved his cats - most recently “Buster the Wonder Cat”.

More of Joe’s loves were history – Airplanes – Kite Flying – traveling – movies from 1939 – John Phillip Sousa – Charles Lindberg -

Joe is survived by his wife, Carolyn Norcross, daughter Rebecca ‘Bekkah’ Norcross, and step children Alison Wells of Clovis and E. Lester Hankinson, his wife April, and grandchildren Dominique and Andrew of Clovis, his nephews Jason and Kelly Norcross and Ryan and Heather Norcross and his grand nephew Tyler and grand nieces Laney and Josey.

The Honor ceremony will be held at Glad Tidings Assembly of Church; 750 E. Grangeville Blvd., Hanford, CA 93230 559-584-8565on Sunday, September 18th at 3 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that remembrances be made to the

Tule British Brass Band; c/o Eric Farrenkopf – 3155 Brick Field Avenue, Tulare, CA 93274

or the SPCA – Valley Oak; 29016 Hwy 99, Visalia, CA 93277.

Services are under the direction of People’s Funeral Chapel; 501 N. Douty St.,

Hanford, CA 93230 559-584-5591.

PEOPLE’S FUNERAL CHAPEL

501 N. DOUTY STREET

HANFORD, CA 93230

559-584-5591

www.peoplesfuneralchapel.com