Norman Edward Elam Sr.

Visitation will be held at Eubank Funeral Home in Canton, Texas, on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

A Celebration of Life Service will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 2, 2026 at Eubank Funeral Home in Canton, Texas with Bro. Tim Gabbard officiating.

He was born at Mercy Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio on June 8, 1932, to parents, Fanny Maude Keck and Alvin Evin Elam. Norman grew up in Norvell and High Point, Ohio.

At age 17 he signed up for the Army, where he served in Korea during the Korean conflict with X Corp as a radio operator.

He moved to the Dallas area in the early 1950s, in 1954 he met the love of his life, Louise May Rorrer, at Sivil's Drive In where she worked as a carhop, she even gave him a placard to put in the window of his car so that she would be the only one waiting on him. They eloped and were married December 10, 1954, in Rockwall, Texas. The couple settled in Mesquite, Texas and lived in the same home for 71 years where they had 4 children, Ed, Tony, Tammy and Edith.

Norman worked at the Ford Assembly Plant in Dallas from 1954 - 1959 and from 1959 - 1978, he worked at the Post Office in Mesquite. After that, from 1978 to about 1988, he sold World Book Encyclopedias and did Chemical Sales. Around 1988 – 2013, Norman went back to work at the Mesquite Post Office where he retired in 2013.

Norman loved playing dominoes and various card games; Especially with his family who he loved very much. He attended First Assembly of God in Mesquite, where he was a trustee for many years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fanny and Alvin Elam, Stepmother, Pina Elam, a sister, Carolyn Sue Elam and daughter, Edith Elam.

He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Louise Elam; Sons; Ed Elam and wife, Juanita, Tony Elam, both of Ben Wheeler, Texas; Daughter, Tammy and husband, Marc Painter, Mesquite, Texas; Niece, Elita Offutt, Frisco, Texas; 6 Grandchildren; 15 Great Grandchildren; 2 Great Great Grandchildren.

Pallbearers: Thomas Elam, Nathan Elam, Daniel Murray, Christopher Cox, Caleb Cox and Kevin Cox.

Honorary Pallbearers: Kaden Gabbard, Karson Gabbard and Korbin Gabbard.

Final resting place will be at Haven of Memories Memorial Park, Canton, Texas.