John L. Norvell

John L. Norvell, 80, of Island City, died June 9 at his home with his wife, Janie Green Norvell, by his side. At the request of the family, there will be no services.

John was born Sept. 24, 1930, in Pendleton to Letcher P. and Opal (Rice) Norvell. He was raised in Helix, and graduated from Griswold Union High School in 1948. John attended Willamette University in Salem for 1 1/2 years. He received his associate degree from Blue Mountain Community College and from the Institute of Applied Science. He graduated from the Seattle Police Academy and was a member of the Seattle Police Department.

For seven years, he worked as a surveyor for the state of Oregon and the state of Washington in forest service. He was also assistant traffic manager for an eight-department-store chain in Springfield, Mass. In his early years, he said he was a security guard for Frank Sinatra's nightclub at Lake Tahoe.

In 1974, John and his wife, Janie, became managers and administrators for retirement apartments and assisted living facilities. They did the work for the next 30 years. He retired in 2004.

John loved fishing with his brother-in-law, Bill Rodda. In John's younger years, those who knew him say he was an excellent skeet shooter.

John was the happiest in his later years when he raised his and Janie's son, Tyler, and when he was reunited with his three older children. More than anything, he enjoyed corresponding with his children. He loved writing letters and sending birthday and Christmas cards to them.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Letcher and Opal; and his brother, Baby Norvell.

His is survived by his wife, Janie; daughter, Linda Lee Norvell King and her spouse, Bill, of Tacoma; three sons and their spouses, Michael and Rachael Norvell of Pendleton, John and Valerie Norvell of St. Helens and Tyler and Chelsea Norvell of Federal Way, Wash.; his sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and Bob Larson of Portland; a cousin; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Blue Mountain Humane Association.

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