Segisberto Norel Luza

Segisberto Norel Luza was born in the foothills of the Andes at the bottom of Mount Misty in the town of Arequipa, Peru. He was the youngest of six children His parents were Moises Luza Ossio and Alicia Luza née Bouroncle Valencia. He lived there most of his young life.

Norel’s path in life as with most Catholic families and being the youngest, he seemed to be on the road to becoming a priest as he attended a seminary. But because of unforeseen circumstances he did not finish. Instead he ended up going to the United States , attending the University of Oklahoma (he was a roughneck with the cheer team) and getting a degree in civil engineering.

Before Norel could do anything with his degree, he was drafted for the Korean War effort and went to serve his for new country in Germany. While stationed in Germany he was able to travel around Europe with his military and civilian friends. When he came home to the United States after serving, he decided to continue to service by being part of National Guard. Norel spent many weekends over the years being as they say a “weekend warrior”.

With his engineering degree he was sent on a path that would take him around the world several times and live in foreign lands. Before he could begin this trip he met his wife, Janice of 63 years. It was in Oklahoma that they started a family. As his career began to take off, he moved his family to Houston, Texas. It was from Houston that he began his international traveling. He began his travels with his family by moving first to London England and then to the far east in the Republic of Singapore. Later with his wife Janice they moved to the Middle East city of Dubai. For short business assignments he lived in Argentina, Azerbaijani, Russia and Korea. After every assignment he would return home to Katy Texas.

His business travels took him to the Great Pyramids of Egypt, The Forbidden City of Beijing and the Great Wall of China. He crossed the Article Circle and clung to the outside cargo netting as he and his luggage were lowered to a bobbing boat in the Beaufort Sea for his trip to Alaska.

In later years Norel spent more time at home gardening and reading but still attended family gatherings and weddings. Wheather in Oklahoma, Georgia, Texas or Utah, he tried to make them all. He always wanted to be there for his family!

He made many friends over the years, some of which have come here today to honor Norel. Many of theses are his nieces, nephews and their families.

Norel was also a very private person, he was good at keeping his feelings and thoughts to himself. Though sometimes he was known to act in a way to help others. Like the time we were at the gardening department in PennSquare in Oklahoma City and it was being robbed. Norel just took off after the robber yelling “Stop that man stop that man” never giving a thought to any danger.

Norel will be missed very much especially by his family and loved ones. He will also be missed by the new friends he made in his later years, like the gentleman who would give his a shave and haircut, the managers and wait staff at some of his favorites placed to eat.. The ladies were he would get mani/pedis. He did like talking to the ladies.

Norel was predeceased by his parents, and siblings Gustavo, Segismundo, Gloria, Azucena and Segisfredo and his beloved wife of sixty-three years.

He is survived by his daughter Rita LeAnn Luza, his son Les Norel Luza and step-son William Bradley Baker. He is also survived by his grandson Lochland Evan Norel Luza and step-grandson Kevin Baker.