Norris Miley Obituary

Norris Eugene Miley

Norris Eugene Miley, 99, of Lewis Center, passed away peacefully Monday, July 24, 2023, at The Avalon of Lewis Center.

He was born in Clarksburg, West Virginia (Harrison County, WV) to John Raymond Miley and Hazel Neal. He married Doreen Elizabeth Farrow on July 7, 1945, and she preceded him in death March 2, 2023. Norris fell in love with Doreen while he was stationed in U.S. Army Air Corps near her hometown of Kings Lynn, England, during World War II. They remained deeply in love for over 77 years of marriage.

Norris is survived by four children, Deborah (Thomas) Gerschutz of Tiffin, Lynn (Keith) Burke of Delaware, Ohio, Robert (Michael) Miley of Palms Springs, California, and Susan (William) Myers of Sunbury; grandchildren, Troy and Corinne, Jessica and Dalton, and Jacquelyn and William; great-grandchildren, Avery, Kayla, Tristan, Abigail, Reese, and Bodhi; sister, Mary Louise Payton; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife; parents; brothers, Paul Miley and Truman (Flora) Miley; sisters, Lorraine (Eddie) Metheny and Catherine (Lester) Clough; brothers-in-law, Robert Farrow, Cecil (Shirley) Farrow, Charlie (Edna) Farrow, and Robin (Doreen) Farrow; and son-in-law, Michael (Robert) McGinty.

Norris received permission from his mother to join U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II at the age of 17. While he was stationed in England, he met and married his wife, Doreen. At the end of the war, Norris returned to his hometown in West Virginia to finish his high school education. He was reunited with his wife nine months after the end of the war when she was finally allowed to travel to the States. He further continued his education and graduated from West Virginia University three short years later with a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering. He remained a proud Mountaineers fan of football and basketball for his entire life.

His engineering degree found him employment with many natural gas companies including Eastern Gas Transportation and Storage, Columbia Gas Transmission, Algonquin Gas Transmission, ANR Pipeline, and Federal Department of Transportation. The family moved several times and with each move they added new additions to the family. Deborah was born in West Virginia, Lynn in Massachusetts, Robert in Michigan, and Susan in Ohio. After retiring from the ANR, Michigan Wisconsin Pipeline Division in 1983, Norris took a job in Houston, Texas, with Department of Transportation as a pipeline inspector and safety consultant. He would finally retire from this position at the age of 72. This last move provided Norris and Doreen with their dream home on River Plantation Golf Course in Conroe, Texas, where they both were able to play golf year-round, their earthly Heaven.

Norris loved playing cards, especially bridge, and at one point, earned masterpoints in duplicate bridge competition. He was a competitive bowler, but golf was his real love. He happily encouraged and willingly taught any family member or friend how to play the game. Norris and Doreen both became very accomplished ballroom dancers. Their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren have many special memories of playing card games and sports activities of all kinds. Norris thoroughly enjoyed attending all of his family's sporting events and rarely missed an outing. He also supported and enjoyed all musical performances, but it was obvious the sporting events were his favorite. Norris was an exceptionally devoted husband, whose sincerity was truly inspiring and served as a commendable example for us all. He was a loving, caring, and selfless patriarch to everyone in his family and will be greatly missed.

Per their wishes, Norris and Doreen's joint celebration of life will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, at First Presbyterian Church, 73 Winter Street, Delaware, Ohio. Visitation for friends and family will be 9-10 a.m. Saturday at the church. Graveside services will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery. High tea will be served at the church immediately after.

The family would like to thank The Avalon of Lewis Center for their kind and compassionate care. The family would also like to thank Capital City Hospice for their guidance and support in allowing Norris to pass peacefully and comfortably.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Capital City Hospice, 2800 Corporate Exchange Drive, Suite 170, Columbus, Ohio, 43231, or Laundry Love Ministry of First Presbyterian Church, 73 W. Winter St., Delaware, Ohio, 43015.

Snyder Rodman Funeral Center of Delaware, Ohio, is assisting family with arrangements.

Condolences may be sent and the guestbook signed at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

"I believe that what we become depends on what our fathers teach us at odd moments, when they aren't trying to teach us. We are formed by little scraps of wisdom." - Umberto Eco

Norris lived a long and fulfilling life. May he rest in peace and may his memory be a blessing to all who knew him.