Raymond Lewis Norman

Born Jan. 31, 1935 Birmingham, AL- attended grade school and Woodlawn High in Birmingham. Educated at Samson University, Auburn (BS Mechanical Engineering, 1957), Florida State University (MS R&D) 1968. Raymond also attended UofF, UCLA, University of AL and coursework for a DBA with Nova University. He was a registered Professional Engineer (AL). He was married to Eleanor Faith Thompson, who passed in 2014 after 57 years of marriage.

Norman's professional career started with Rader and Assoc., Birmingham, AL, Stockham Valves and Fitting, Birmingham 1957; then Hayes Aircraft of Birmingham and Huntsville, AL. He came to Florida in 1958 with Rader and Associates, St. Petersburg, FL. In 1959 he was hired by Pan American World Airways then employed by General Dynamics. Hired by NASA in 1962 and stayed until retirement. Norman worked 150 launches as support operations manager with the unmanned program (Delta, Atlas, Centaur, Mighty Mouse, and others). He transferred to the Shuttle Program as a logistics engineer and continued until he retired in 1990. He was a member of the NASA Alumni League.

His military experience included basic training in Ft. Jackson, SC; Ft. Eustis, VA and Army Intelligence Officer training. He served several active duty stints which included cold war Korea--land & airborne intelligence monitoring; activated for Desert Storm and other actions; retired as CWO3 in 1995. He has served as the Secretary and Director for the Brevard Veterans Center, Museum and Council for many years after his professional career. He was also liaison for the Sons of the American Revolution with the Center. His ancestors from NC and GA fought in the American Revolution. Great Great grandfather was in the Battle of Eutaw Springs, SC where he was injured by a British projectile.... but the beaver hat was saved...

Norman's extracurricular activities included part time charter boat fishing (USCG captain license) until he became active in golf. After 25 years he finally attained a hole in one at Montgomery AFB, AL during the Maxwell Retired Military Golf Classic. This HIO was followed with a double eagle the next day. He had two other "skanky" holes in one. He was Executive Director: Florida Space Coast Golf Association. Worked with the Brevard County Tourism Development Council, Space Coast Sports Promotions to create an international golf stay-and-play organization; A life member: Amateur Athletic Union. Created and managed a national AAU tournament AAU Adult National Golf Champion, Flight Winner, Inaugural and record holder for 2001-2002, Viera, FL. Member: Florida State Golf Assn. and the USGA as Volunteer. Golf Coordinator: Space Coast Sports Promotions, Inc., Brevard County Sports Authority Tournament Director/ Player, 138th AVN Co. (Desert Storm) - Golf Committee. Winner two man alternate shot 2001. Volunteer with the Savannahs Golf course, Officer in the Savannahs Golf League. He maintained membership in the Masons, Birmingham, AL and the Melbourne, FL Shrine organizations.

Norman passed away on October 17, 2026. He is survived by his son Raymond M. (Jill Weaver) and granddaughters Stephanie and Stacy; son Steven M. (Elizabeth Thorne) and grandchildren Andrew (PharmD), and Olivia of Clemmons, NC. Grandson Andrew has two sons...great grandsons James and Ryan.

A Funeral Service will be held at Life Event Center At Florida Memorial, 5950 S US Highway 1, Rockledge, FL 32955, US, on October 24, 2026, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.