Donald Leroy Norris

Donald Leroy Norris, age 85 of Manhattan, KS, died Monday, March 24, 2014 at his residence.born on February 6, 1929 in his parent’s home at Randolph, KS, the son of Henry Harvey and Alice Josephine (Peterson) Norris. He attended grade schools in Randolph and Leonardville and graduated from Leonardville Rural High School in 1947. Don played basketball, baseball and football and the trumpet in the high school band. He worked at the roller rink as a skate boy, at Blaske Produce House and summers working for the Uhlenhop farm. He served as a telephone switchboard operator in the U.S. Army from 1948 - 1952. He worked for Southwestern Bell (AT&T) for 33 years working many jobs. He started out as a telephone lineman, then plant assigner, telephone repeaterman, switchman, outside exchange repairman and local testboard in Manhattan, Salina, Clay Center and retiring in Manhattan in 1981. After retirement he held various jobs for a Ford Dealer, Kansas State Bank, Office World, mowing lawns and delivering flowers for Steve’s Floral. He also helped with Cub and Boy Scouts and coached kids softball and baseball. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Manhattan, Telephone Pioneers, BPOE and American Legion On May 31, 1953, he was married to Nayola D. Forslund at the Alert Covenant Church north of Leonardville. She survives of the home. They enjoyed traveling, going to the east coast of the country, Canada, Alaska and spending their 40th wedding anniversary in Hawaii. In addition to his wife, he is survived by three children, Michael Alan Norris and friend Norma Alaniz of San Antonio, TX, Janelle A. Norris of Austin, TX and David L. Norris and wife Christine of Manhattan; one brother, William H. Norris and wife Barbara of Manhattan; four grandchildren, Dane Norris and Devin Norris, both of Manhattan and Cory Allen and Evan George, both of Austin, TX and three great-grandchildren, Makinzee Wofford, Shelby Allen and Mason George all of Austin, TX. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Thursday, March 27, 2014 at the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home in Riley with Pastor Kevin Larson officiating. Respect calls may be made anytime Wednesday at the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home in Riley where the family will receive friends from 7 - 8:00 P.M. Wednesday evening at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Crooked Creek Cemetery, north of Leonardville. A memorial has been established for the Donald Norris Memorial Fund to be established by the family at a later date. Contributions may be left in care of the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home in Riley, KS