The earthly body of Commander Elliott Wynn Norris, 78, retired U.S. Navy Reserve, fell asleep Sunday, June 2, 2013, at his residence from complications of primary lateral sclerosis, primary progressive aphasia and Parkinson's disease. Through his faith, his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will raise him again from the grave on the day of the resurrection of all flesh. Service: 11 a.m. Thursday at Charity Lutheran Church in Burleson, the Rev. Dr. Kent Heimbigner officiating. Interment: 2 p.m. Saturday in Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, Houston. Wynn was born at home on Cedar Bayou near Goose Creek on May 31, 1935, to John Stephen Norris Sr. and Geraldine Wynn Norris. He was a fifth-generation Texan. One of his great-grandfathers served in the Army of the Republic of Texas and another line of his great-great-grandparents immigrated to Indianola from Germany in 1846. Wynn graduated from Crosby High School in Crosby, attended Texas A&M College in College Station and was a 1957 graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. After graduation, he attended the U.S. Naval Officer Candidate School in Newport, R.I. Wynn remained on active duty for 11 years during which time he served on four ships and with the Naval Beach Group based in Japan. He was a proud combat veteran of the Vietnam War. In 1969 he left active duty and received a commission in the Naval Reserve. During the next 11 years, duty stations included Beaumont, the Naval War College, the Pentagon, the Naval Ships Engineering Center in Maryland, and in the Mediterranean Sea. He retired in 1981. Wynn was a champion of conservative causes and was active in politics even when he was in high school and too young to vote. In 1978 he was an unsuccessful candidate for the Republican nomination for U.S. Congress for the 8th District of Texas. In civilian life, Wynn worked for several companies in insurance, risk management, safety, and fire protection. His final eight years before retirement were spent at the Coastal Corp.'s refinery on Aruba. Because he got to know all the Island politicians and government officials, he served his last two years as the refinery's community and government affairs manager. Wynn was a life member of the American Legion and the Association of the U.S. Navy. He enjoyed traveling, gardening, cooking, research on the internet and flying. Having spent most of his active naval duty in the Pacific, he had a special interest in the history of World War II in the Pacific, where both his brothers served in the Marine Corps. Wynn was a charitable person and liked helping all in need, people and animals. He was a good listener and faithful friend. He rescued many stray and injured animals and birds over the years. Wynn was a member of the Boy Scouts in his youth. As an adult he served on Scout committees and as scoutmaster. Wynn was satisfied with his very active life. He gloried in his successes and failures. He considered himself to be so fortunate to have had all the experiences that he had, to have traveled to all the places he did, and to have made contact with all the people he did. In 1958, President Eisenhower sat in the pew in front of Wynn in the base chapel. In 1959, his destroyer hosted the queen, crown prince and princess of Thailand. In 1961, he met and conversed with Attorney General Robert Kennedy aboard ship in Hong Kong. In 1976, he saw Queen Elizabeth, Prince Phillip, German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt, and President Ford during duty in Washington, and in 1978, he gave future President George H.W. Bush a ride back to Houston in his plane. Wynn's Christian faith had been a vital part of his life, and he never lost sight of the fact that he was a sinner. He knew that he could not trust in his own works for his salvation, but he could be saved only by the grace of a very benevolent God. He believed, because of his faith in Jesus Christ, the grave is merely a milestone on the narrow road to everlasting life. He served as elder in two congregations of the Lutheran Church, and while in the Navy, he led Sunday services on the ships on which he served that were without chaplains. Wynn was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, John S. Norris Jr., Euclid L. Norris; his sister, Geraldine Noble; and brother-in-law, Marion Noble. Survivors: Wife of 55 years, Marjorie McMaster Norris; two sons, Stephen M. Norris and Todd Q. Norris (and wife, Marcia), all of Fort Worth; daughter, Sarah Wick (and husband, Terrence) of Hallettsville; sisters-in-law, Betty Jo Lauritsen of Santa Barbara, Calif., and Bobbie Norris of Baytown; four grandchildren, Christy Wick, James Wick, Emma Wick, and Ana Norris; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. "Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace according to Thy word, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people..." NUNC DIMITTIS, Song of Simeon, Luke 2:29-31.
Published in Star-Telegram on June 5, 2013