In memory of J. Carl Norris Jr.

89(R) SR 603 - Enrolled version - Bill Text

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 603

In Memory

of

J. Carl Norris Jr.

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.

________________________________

Secretary of the Senate

________________________________

Member, Texas Senate