John J. Norris

John J. Norris, 82, of Portland and formerly of La Grande, died Dec. 20.

Burial will be at Willamette National Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held later.

John was born Jan. 7, 1926, to James John and Leona Canfield Norris in Abbeville, Kan. John graduated from Adrian High School.

John entered the Army in 1945 and enlisted in the Air Force in 1946 during the occupation of Japan, and was involved with the Berlin Air Lift. During the Korean War, he was stationed in Guam. He retired from the Air Force in 1966 after 20 years of military service.

He was employed by the U.S. Postal Service from 1967 until retirement in 1982. He worked at the post office in La Grande.

He married twice, first to Marion Davee in 1949. The couple had two children, Christine and Jon. He later married Marry Artena Fihn in 1980.

John's interests included cars, building furniture and traveling/camping with the Good Sams. He had a love for animals, especially dogs.

He was a member of the FOE, BPOE, American Legion, Odd Fellows and a lifetime member of the Air Force Sergeants Association.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Artena Norris of Portland; daughter, Christine Norris of La Grande; son, Jon Norris of La Grande; daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Bob Sherburn of Portland; a grandson and a great-grandson; sister, Louise Boyd of Tennessee; former wife, Marion (Davee) Anthoney of La Grande; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Edmund Norris of Hutchison, Kan.

.