Harold Norris, 86, of Leon died Dec. 8, 2012, at the home of Judy and Dwight Nernes.
Graveside funeral services were 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, at Leon Cemetery. The Rev. Terry Roberts officiated. Slade-O’Donnell Funeral Home of Leon was in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be given to HCI Care Services, Mount Ayr.
Harold Wallace Norris, son of Nella (Carrico) and Earrett Norris, was born Jan. 2, 1925, on a farm in Harrison County, Mo.
He spent the first 21 years of his life on the farm, attending Pleasanton, and Cainsville, Mo., schools. He graduated from Cainsville High School in 1943.
Harold moved to Leon in 1946.
On June 29, 1946, Harold married Lois Elizabeth Stephens in Hiawatha, Kan. She died in 1994.
Harold worked various jobs and in 1961 partnered with Clair Kelly to open Harold and Kelly’s Auto Service in Leon, where he was an auto body repairman.
Harold was a member of Leon Chamber of Commerce, as well as a volunteer for the Leon Fire Department, where he served as fire chief for several years.
He helped create Leon Rodeo. In its fourth year, while he served as co-chairman with Ernie Coleman, Leon Rodeo was awarded the first of many Rodeo of the Year Awards by the United Rodeo Association. In recent years, Harold was the first living person inducted into the Leon Rodeo Hall of Fame.
Harold is survived by his children, Harold Eugene Norris of Leon, Lois Elaine (husband Steve) Simmerman of Murray, Judy Irene (husband Gregg) Henderson of Leon and Farold Ray (wife Mary) Norris of Des Moines; son-in-law Donald Smith of Leon; 13 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren; niece Lavene (Chester) Hanson of Columbia, Mo.; and a host of other relatives and friends.
In addition to his wife, Harold was preceded in death by his parents; sister Dorothy Craig and daughter Charlotte Smith.