Jerry Lee Norem's Obituary
Jerry Lee Norem In an unfortunate but sadly expected roster move, Jerry Lee Norem was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list on August 27, 2015 after an especially deadly battle with metastatic melanoma. He received the call formalizing the change in his status at his home in Dash Point, surrounded by loved ones who vigorously criticized the decision. Born June 12, 1951 in Seattle, WA to parents Phyllis Hill and Donald Norem, Jerry grew up in West Seattle, where he graduated from Chief Sealth High School in 1969. He enlisted in the Army at the end of the following summer, and shipped out to Korea shortly thereafter to serve and party with the 6th Battalion's 37th Field Artillery unit. He later worked as a Teamster for Todd Shipyard for 35 years, and delivered cars part-time for Larson Toyota for five years after his official retirement. Most important to Jerry was his family. He was preceded in death by his brothers Pete and Jim, but continues to root from the eternal bleachers for Liz, his beloved wife of 29 years, mother Phyllis, brother Matt (wife Edie), and children Char (husband Chris), Damien (wife Nanealani), David (wife Erin), and Tawny, as well as nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Among Jerry's other loves were classic cars (owning over a hundred in his life), red wines, chocolate, and sports, especially sports. He played softball for many years for Lord Fauntleroy and Digby's Tavern teams, and taught three of his four children to be pretty mean pitchers in their own right. He also believed and taught fairness as an unconditional requirement, that it's better to lose fairly than win through deceit. Jerry was also a sun worshipper, basking in convertible cars, boating on Lake Roosevelt or at Wanapum, and traveling to Florida and the Cook Islands, where Aitutaki was likely his favorite place on earth. Closer to home, he loved the Oregon coast, especially Florence and Newport. Jerry was always happiest on a sunny beach with family and friends, the irony of which is not lost on those left to remember him. A celebration of Jerry's life will be held at 1:00 PM on Sunday, September 6th, at the Brown's Point Improvement Club, where we will raise our glasses in his honor, cheering for the things he loved, and cursing the things he despised. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation to the Melanoma Research Foundation.
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