Norris Jerome Johnson

A man of integrity, dignity, and humility, Norris passed away on September 24, 2019 at the age of 84 years.  Born in Radcliffe, Iowa on August 22, 1935, Norris served in the U.S. Army and graduated from South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota with an Industrial Engineering Degree with advanced studies at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa.  At the age of 20, he married Betty Ann Armfield and they were blessed with three daughters, eight grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

As a professional engineer he began his career at Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and moved to Dallas, Texas where his job expanded and Collins Radio became Rockwell International.  Of note, he worked on radio systems for NASA, helped create the first call center in the history of the US and worked on ASCON, a communication system for the Dutch Royal Airforce that integrated with NATO.  He joined in the start-up world of telecommunications with stints at Intecom, VMX, and Specialized Resources.

After retirement, he worked as Director of Operations at King of Glory Lutheran Church for a number of years.  His life work was building and supporting his family.  Norris’ leadership, stewardship and commitment to family, church, community and business defined him.  He leaves a legion of friends and admirers and a proud family to mourn their loss and celebrate his legacy.

Norris is survived by and deeply loved by wife, Betty Ann Johnson; daughters, Becky Church and husband Clay Church, Brenda Tolson and husband Steve Tolson and Barbara Reilly and wife Julie Frisbie; grandchildren (by order of birth),  Bethany (Church) Hooper (married to Matt Hooper), Austin Church (married to Samantha (Bishop) Church), Meredith Tolson, Courtney (Tolson) Griffin (married to Jimmy Griffin), Christopher Reilly, Shelby Reilly, Chandler Frisbie, and Darby Frisbie; great grandchildren (by order of birth), Vivian Hooper, Amelia Griffin, Bennett Hooper, Andrew Church, Daniel Griffin, Connor Church, and Adelynn Griffin.

Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 28, 2019, at King of Glory Lutheran Church, 6411 LBJ Freeway, Dallas Texas 75240.

If it is your wish, the family suggests Memorials, in Norris’ name, can be directed to the King of Glory Lutheran Church Foundation, 6411 LBJ Freeway, Dallas, Texas 75240-6406.