Mr. Norris, who stood at 6’3” tall, had a decades-long stature as a passionate principal at Crestview High School and a devoted teacher and head basketball coach at Versailles, Preble Shawnee and Ridgeville High Schools. During his 11 years as principal at Crestview, Norris helped to lead the development and construction of a new K-12 school. During his 13 years at Versailles, he was the original administrator for the Ohio Work Education (OWE) program, which developed an integrated work and education curriculum to enable select high school students to graduate and transition successfully into productive lives post high school. Norris also coached the 1976 Versailles Class AA District Champion basketball team.
Mr. Norris received a Master’s in Education at Miami University and a Bachelor’s in History at Kent State University, attending on a full athletic scholarship and starting as a forward on the basketball team and starting as pitcher for the baseball team. Norris attended high school in his birthplace of Arcanum, Ohio, where he had been recently inducted into the Hall of Fame for his accomplishments in both basketball and baseball.
Norris enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s basketball games, tending his thriving garden, golfing, walking in the woods, and engaging in political and community-based initiatives.
Born on December 5, 1941, the third son to Dorothy M. and Leonard G. Norris, Norris is survived by his wife Betty, sister Colleen Schenck, daughter Wendi Norris and son Brett Norris, stepchildren Scott Subler, Melanie (Subler) Dortch, and Renee (Subler) Plescia. Norris was an extraordinarily proud grandfather of 12 and great grandfather of 2.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, October 29, 2016, at Zechar Bailey Funeral Home in Greenville with Pastor Steve Short officiating. Burial will follow in St. Valbert Cemetery in Versailles. The family will receive friends on Friday from 3:00 to 8:00 P.M. and Saturday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 A.M. at the funeral home. The family has requested that donations be made to the Dan Norris Memorial Scholarship Fund, an annual scholarship to be given to a graduating high school student who plans to pursue a two-year trade school education. Dan Norris Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Dayton Foundation 40 North Main Street Suite 500 Dayton, OH 45423. Condolences for the family may be expressed through www.zecharbailey.com
