TITLE: In memory of J. Carl Norris Jr. of Mineola.

SUMMARY: In memory of J. Carl Norris Jr. of Mineola.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, A full and productive life drew to a close with the passing of Dr. J. Carl Norris Jr. of Mineola on January 6, 2024, at the age of 100; and WHEREAS, The son of Gertrude Norris and Julius Norris Sr., J. C. Norris was born in Arkansas on July 18, 1923; he was salutatorian of his high school class in Atlanta, Texas, and he attended the College of Marshall, which eventually became East Texas Baptist University; while serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, he was badly injured in a plane crash; he endured a long recovery and went on to graduate as valedictorian of Southern College of Optometry in 1945; after establishing his practice in Mineola, he treated patients for 45 years and helped build what is now Mineola Eyecare; and WHEREAS, Dr. Norris further benefited his community in many leadership positions, including school board trustee and member of the boards of the Mineola Chamber of Commerce and First National Bank; in addition, he was a member of the ETBU Board of Trustees and Advisory Board; he also served on the Mineola City Council, and he was later elected mayor as one of the youngest individuals to do so in the city's history; following his retirement, he contributed his time and talents to the board of the Meredith Foundation for more than two decades and led the organization as chair; he was an active congregant of First Baptist Church of Mineola and held a variety of roles, from Sunday school teacher and chair of the deacons to member of the long-range planning and building steering committees; among his many accolades, he received the 1981 Mineola Rotary Man of the Year Award and the chamber of commerce's Distinguished Citizen Award for a lifetime of service; and WHEREAS, Dr. Norris shared a fulfilling 78-year marriage with his wife, Charm, until her passing in 2020; the couple enjoyed traveling together and visited six continents; a devoted family man, he took great pride in their daughters, Suzanne and Patricia, their grandchildren, Melissa, Jennifer, Blair, and Brooke, and their great-grandchildren, Zachary, Andrew, Titus, and Hugo; he brightened the days of those around him with his kindness and keen sense of humor; an avid reader, he kept up with current events in newspapers; and WHEREAS, J. C. Norris inspired innumerable people through his dedication to his family, his faith, and his community, and he is remembered with admiration and affection by all who were fortunate enough to know him; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the life of Dr. J. Carl Norris Jr. and extend sincere sympathy to all who mourn his passing; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be prepared for his family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Dr. J. C. Norris. Hughes President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 31, 2025, by a rising vote.