Gary G. Norris

Brought to California at six weeks old by his mother, Gary spent most of his younger years in Los Angeles County. His mother remarried and the family, which now included step-siblings, Bob and Linda, settled in Arcadia. The bond between the new siblings lasted their entire lives, especially with the boys who shared a love of rebuilding cars, joking around and getting into mischief.

Fresh out of high school, Gary joined the Air Force. Stationed in Okinawa for 2 years, he worked in communications, specifically Morse interception. After his discharge, Gary returned to California and started school at Long Beach City College. An LBCC math professor saw Gary’s potential and helped him get into USC, something he valued his entire life. He graduated with a degree in quantitative analysis, eventually obtaining his Master’s degree.

After college, Gary accepted a job in San Francisco with Bank of America. He worked at the bank for a couple of years until he realized one Christmas day, sitting on a beach, just how much he missed sunny Southern California. This motivated Gary to accept the first of many jobs that kept him in Orange County the remainder of his life. His career took many paths, eventually becoming the director of data processing centers for various companies. Gary retired near the age of 65 but, not one to remain idle, he rounded out his working life as a part-time teller in a Laguna Beach bank owned by a friend. It wasn’t the job itself that Gary pursued, but the chance to chat with people as they came in. Even more, it was the fact that he was able to look out the window on the 3rd floor, admiring PCH and the ocean sunset.

Shortly after his return to Southern California from San Francisco, Gary started a family welcoming three boys and a girl. He remarried in his 50’s. His wife Joyce has 2 sons. They were married 21 years.

Gary had a wide range of interests throughout his life. He was physically active for much of it and had a long list of activities that he enjoyed doing, including jogging, playing racket ball, surfing, skiing, and boxing. Gary even climbed Mt. Whitney on more than one occasion and hiked the trials of the regional park near CBC. His favorite breed of dog was the Great Dane, owning 3 over the years that all shared the same name: “Chamus”. Gary loved being a member of his church family and was of service in any way possible. He taught Sunday school, acted as greeter, cleaned the church, and participated in various ministries: the card ministry, Dinner for 8, and the Encourager ministry. He was also involved in planting a church. Later, he served meals with a residential homeless shelter program and served breakfast to the homeless at Main Beach in Laguna.

Gary is survived by his wife, Joyce, and his sons; Jayson and his wife, Danielle (Shawna, Sammie, and Andy); Sean and his wife, Megan (Caleb); Kyle; his daughter, Corrina (River, Lucas, Hunter and Haley); stepsons; Matt and his wife, Grace (Amber); Jason; and his sister-in-law Linda.

A Celebration of Gary’s Life will be held on Saturday, October 6, 2018 at 10:00 AM at Compass Bible Church, 120 East Columbia, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656.

Should friends desire: Donations can be made to the UCLA Foundation - Fund #64215O for the UCLA Brain Tumor Center. Checks should be made payable to “UCLA Foundation – Fund #64215O” and on the memo line of the check, please include “Dr. Cloughesy/In memory of Gary Norris.” Donations should be mailed to the following address:

Dr. Timothy Cloughesy

UCLA Neuro-Oncology Program

Attn: Luzianne Fernandez

710 Westwood Plaza RNRC Suite 1-230

Los Angeles, CA 90095. Donations by credit card: call (310) 206-3610.