In photo above, Joe is seated on the left. Thanks to Joe's brother Ted for providing both photos.
Date Deceased: 02-11-2009
Age at Death: 47
Cause of Death: Heart Disease
Classmate City/State: Rapid City, SD
Survived By: Son, Tony. Special friend, Louetta Olson. Mother, Dolores. Brothers Mike, Patrick & Ted. Sisters Marie & Gloria.
Joe's birthday was February 26, 1961. Joe was a native of Rapid City and attended Annie Tallent Elementary, South Junior High, and, of course, Rapid City Central. Joe graduated from Western Dakota Technical Institute with an accounting degree. Joe loved his motorcycle, bowling, and Karate. He was a manager at Family Thrift Center Laundromat and Dry Cleaner for the past several years.
Joe and I hung out together off and on thru Jr. High while attending South. He was a good friend during those times. Those were the days that our bicycles meant everything.... that was how we rolled back then. I remember playing ball with him at Harney and walking to school together almost every day of Jr. High. He'd come by my house and then we'd go to Rick Beairds, and then a bunch would all walk together the last couple blocks. Here's one of those "Where were you when..." momemnts for me. I was at Joe Norman's house watching the game when Henry 'Hank' Aaron broke Babe Ruth's 714 home run record in April of 1974, just 35 short years ago. Thanks for being my friend Joe, may God be with you, you were too young brother.
I was saddened to see Joe Norman passed away on February 11, 2009. I remember when we were attending Annie Tallent Elementary School, we were reading the "Adventures of Tom Sawyer." Our teacher (?) had different students act out different parts of the play. At one point, Joe played Tom Sawyer and I played Becky Thatcher. During our "argument," Becky was supposed to slap Tom across the face when she learned he was engaged to Amy Lawrence. I didn't want to slap Joe, but the teacher said it was "acting," so we said our parts again, and I actually slapped Joe across the face! I still remember the stunned look on Joe's face. I felt very bad. So, since I can't tell you to your face in July, Joe, I am very sorry I slapped you so hard. Rest in God's arms. (You will be happy to know I never pursued an acting career.)
I remember Joe from South, too, and the thing I remember most about Joe was a perpetual grin on his face. I will miss that smile.
I can say this about so many of you, but I lost contact with Joe. I (sadly) wasn't even aware that he was still in Rapid City.
I went to his funeral and I pray that this is the LAST funeral of a classmate I attend for a long, long time. God bless you all - my deepest sympathy to Joe's family.
Joe and myself and 5 other '79ers moved to California in 1981 and partied there for 5 years. We surfed and partied and grew up under the California sun. I'm sure he's right back on that beach catching one for me -- jeff
Steave Barness
Joe and I hung out together off and on thru Jr. High while attending South. He was a good friend during those times. Those were the days that our bicycles meant everything.... that was how we rolled back then. I remember playing ball with him at Harney and walking to school together almost every day of Jr. High. He'd come by my house and then we'd go to Rick Beairds, and then a bunch would all walk together the last couple blocks. Here's one of those "Where were you when..." momemnts for me. I was at Joe Norman's house watching the game when Henry 'Hank' Aaron broke Babe Ruth's 714 home run record in April of 1974, just 35 short years ago. Thanks for being my friend Joe, may God be with you, you were too young brother.sb
Amy Austin (Stec)
I was saddened to see Joe Norman passed away on February 11, 2009. I remember when we were attending Annie Tallent Elementary School, we were reading the "Adventures of Tom Sawyer." Our teacher (?) had different students act out different parts of the play. At one point, Joe played Tom Sawyer and I played Becky Thatcher. During our "argument," Becky was supposed to slap Tom across the face when she learned he was engaged to Amy Lawrence. I didn't want to slap Joe, but the teacher said it was "acting," so we said our parts again, and I actually slapped Joe across the face! I still remember the stunned look on Joe's face. I felt very bad. So, since I can't tell you to your face in July, Joe, I am very sorry I slapped you so hard.Rest in God's arms.
(You will be happy to know I never pursued an acting career.)
Danny Claymore
I remember Joe from South, too, and the thing I remember most about Joe was a perpetual grin on his face. I will miss that smile.I can say this about so many of you, but I lost contact with Joe. I (sadly) wasn't even aware that he was still in Rapid City.
I went to his funeral and I pray that this is the LAST funeral of a classmate I attend for a long, long time. God bless you all - my deepest sympathy to Joe's family.
Mike Trautman
I remember Joe from grade school all the way through. What I remember about Joe is he always had a huge smile on his face. Rest in peace my friend.Jeff McDonald
Joe and myself and 5 other '79ers moved to California in 1981 and partied there for 5 years. We surfed and partied and grew up under the California sun. I'm sure he's right back on that beach catching one for me -- jeffMark Rudebusch
Great guy...Joe and I were big Dodger fans in the 70s. Great times at South Junior High!