Fred Norman

Fred Norman

Fred Norman! No middle name, not even “Frederick”, just simply Fred Norman. Fred was a kind, private, hard working, and humble man. Fred liked things short and to the point….. except when it came to riding that bike!

When you met Fred, you met a person of value and sincerity that quickly earned your respect and camaraderie. Fred lived his life among family and friends in his community with integrity, fairness, honesty, kindness and good will to all people.

Fred was a devoted provider and father who loved his wife and children. He demonstrated the true essence of simple and worthwhile living that was easily shown by his pursuit of personal goals while balancing family and work life.

Fred was born March 17, 1954, in Middletown, NY to the parents of Frederick Norman and Ruth Lindstrom (both deceased). He was the third and youngest son, his older brothers William (Bill) and Terry live in Georgia and central Florida. His family was from Sweden. At the age of 6 years his family left NY and he lived predominantly around the central Florida region. Fred’s orientation to sports, most recently of which has been cycling, began early in his formative school years, where he excelled at all major sports and lettered in each sports program he participated. He became a standout high school quarterback at Boone High School in Orlando Florida. He tried to never miss a Notre Dame Football game and loved those Cleveland Browns. He thought those ugly brown uniforms were the best looking in the league and we had to hear all about it with every game played!

When Kelly met Fred in the 1970’s he was in his “obsessed with tennis” phase. He was one heck of a tennis player. He also enjoyed motorcross racing and became a certified motorcycle mechanic from Wymore Technical School. By the early 1980’s, his focus became Racquetball and running. Then the era of the triathlon started which is how he ended up with falling in love with the bike. Due to a back injury he could no longer run distances, so he began road cycling with a passion. He was actively involved in cycling in Jacksonville for many years. Fred was obsessed with the sport more than any other in his lifelong love of sports. His natural discipline and hard work ethic was a perfect combination with developing yourself into a strong cyclist. He loved to be outside and on his bike and to be with the many friends who rode with him.

Fred’s competitive athletic spirit earned respect and admiration among his peers. This trait transcended to his professional and business endeavors. Fred’s work ethic and personality enabled success in the business community. When he first moved to Jacksonville Fred and his brother, Bill, started Norman Brothers Plumbing Company. He liked working for himself, independent even in his choice of careers. As a Master Licensed Plumber, he branched over to housing and became ASHI certified, working as an independent home inspector with Home Pro Inspections.

One of Fred’s greatest gifts was his ability to be very disciplined. He was successful and one of the best in anything he loved. He loved his family, his work and cycling. He volunteered tirelessly for many years to bring Jacksonville a high level cycling community by organizing cycling events and races. He had a vision for our city to develop cycling events at the professional level. In time, hopefully this dream of his can still become true and professional cycling events will be an annual event in Jacksonville.

Fred attended Culinary School. Everyone who knew Fred would agree that he could have created his own cooking show, as without a doubt, he could out cook anyone. Nicknamed “Chef Fred”, it was always a delight and pleasure to dine with his offerings and company of family and friends.

Fred never allowed himself to be defined by having prostate cancer, evidenced by the fact that on Saturday morning June 11, 2011 he was at the beach with his daughter Allie and friends watching a triathlon. He was home by 10, but by noon, we took him to the Mayo Clinic Hospital ER as pain in his right leg rapidly became severe. By 9pm, Fred had emergency surgery to amputate his leg due to a rare, severe life threatening infection.

Fred passed away peacefully on June 13, 2011surrounded by his wife Kelly, son Christopher, daughters Jessie and Allie, and many friends. Thankfully, he never knew what happened. God knows how much we can withstand. God loves and knows us because he created us. This was more than Fred would be able to bear, and God relieved Fred from this burden.

In truth to Fred’s style, he went into the hospital a champion not knowing he would be called to rest and be received by God. As we remember Fred, we would agree, albeit in a different way, he departed a winner in the face of adversary. In God’s eyes, Fred was a good person during his lifetime spent with his family and friends in his community. We will remember Fred Norman.