TITLE: In memory of Milton John "M. J." Norris, Jr.

SUMMARY: In memory of Milton John "M. J." Norris, Jr.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Family and friends are mourning the loss of Milton John Norris, Jr., who passed away on April 20, 2011, at the age of 91; and WHEREAS, Born in Burleson to Milton John Norris, Sr., and Irma Ringo Norris on March 8, 1920, M. J. Norris graduated from Texas A&M University in 1942 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army; and WHEREAS, Before shipping out for overseas duty in World War II, he married his high school sweetheart, the former Winifred Marie Chandler, on September 5, 1942, at Fort Benning, Georgia; the couple later raised two sons and enjoyed 65 rewarding years together, until Mrs. Norris's death in 2007; and WHEREAS, Mr. Norris served as an infantry captain in the Philippines, participating in amphibious combat landings at Zamboanga and Malabang on Mindanao Island and later in the dismantling of fortifications in the Kure area of Japan; and WHEREAS, After his discharge, Mr. Norris earned a master's degree in agronomy at Texas A&M University and embarked on a career as a research agronomist and associate professor; over the course of nearly four decades, he worked at the Bluebonnet Experiment Station in McGregor and at the Texas AgriLife Blackland Research and Extension Center in Temple, focusing on soil fertility, crop production, plant breeding, and pasture grass development; a frequent guest on area radio and television farm shows, he enjoyed showing and discussing his various agricultural experiments; and WHEREAS, In 1992, Mr. Norris received the Norwood Award and the Burleson High School Ex-Student Association Hall of Fame Award; in addition, the Heart of Texas Council of the Boy Scouts of America presented him with their highest adult award, the Silver Beaver, in recognition of his outstanding work as a scoutmaster; he also served his community in his role as the president of the McGregor Rotary Club and as a Sunday school teacher, lay leader, board member, and chair of the board for his church; and WHEREAS, M. J. Norris lived a rich and purposeful life centered around his family and his work, and he will long be remembered with admiration by all who had the good fortune to know him; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Milton John Norris, Jr., and extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his sons, John Robert Norris and his wife, Kay, and William Milton Norris and his wife, Janie; to his sisters-in-law, Mary Norris and Florus Chandler; to his numerous nieces and nephews; and to his other relatives and friends; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of M. J. Norris. Anderson of McLennan Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 2410 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on May 30, 2011. Chief Clerk of the House