Norman Wright Clarke
May 22, 1925 - August 4, 2007
Obituary
Norman Wright Clarke, known to family and close friends as “Norrie,” died on August 04, 2007 in Federal Way, Washington after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Husband, father and life of the party Norrie will be missed by all who were touched by his life.
Born to Owen Kenneth Clarke and Hazel May Wright on May 22, 1925 in Los Angeles, California and was the forth of five children. He learned at an early age the value of a dollar and was soon riding his bike delivering papers to the neighborhoods of Los Angeles. He met the love of his life, Betty, at a high school dance. But soon his country called and he enlisted in the Marines to serve in W.W.II. He spent his service in Honolulu just after the attack on Pearl Harbor. During this time he sent love letter after love letter to his sweetheart Betty back in the states. Once back from the war Norrie said to Betty. “This world is all messed up! Will you marry me?” Saying yes they started a life and family together. In their 60 years of marriage they gave life to 4 sons.
Norrie spent 35 years as a mail carrier for the US Post office. With a legendary work ethic he soon was given the nick name of OT Over Time by his coworkers at the Beach Center Station in Huntington Beach, California. Upon retirement he moved to a gentleman’s farm in Gaston Oregon, which his grandchildren loved. Then a home in Forest Grove, Oregon and finally to Federal Way, Washington. He loved his family, camping, cheap cigars, garage sales, the music of Frank Sinatra and a good shoot ‘em up western movie.
Norrie was preceded in death by his sweetheart Betty and is survived by his sons Norman Jr., Stephen, Richard and John, ten grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.
Memorial service will he held September 19, 10:00am at Saints Simon and Jude Catholic Church in Huntington Beach, California. Donations in his memory can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
I love you Grandpa. And I will miss you and your humor. You never ceased to make me smile and laugh. I am glad that you are free now…and that you are with Grandma again.
I will see you again: I am positive of it:
Give everyone up there my love!
Walk in the light, and I will be seeing you in all the old familiar places:
Mego