Dr. Gail R. Norris

Dr. Gail R. Norris, 91, a resident of Westminster-Thurber Assisted Living in Columbus since 2006, and formerly of Granville, Ohio, died on July 10, 2010.

He is survived by his sister, Thelma Starkey, of Bolivar, Ohio, and by his three children, Linda Wallace of Sudbury, Massachusetts; Barbara Vogel of Columbus, Ohio; and Ronald Norris of Reynoldsburg; four grandhildren, Katie Wallace; John Wallace; Brian Norris; and Sara Norris.

In addition to his parents, Gail was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Faye (Chandler) Norris, who died on May 11, 2010 and two brothers, Cary and Paul.

Dr. Norris was born in Coshocton on January 17, 1919 to Elmus and Vera Norris, and grew up on the family farm near Bolivar, Tuscarawas County, Ohio.

Dr. Norris received a B.S. degree in education from Ohio University in 1941. After graduating, he enlisted in the Navy and served from 1942 until he was discharged in 1945. During World War II he worked at the Naval Research Center in Bethesda, Maryland, the Clinical Hospital in Newport, Rhode Island, and was a member of the Naval Medical Research Unit sent to Guadalcanal and Guam.

Following the War, Dr. Norris received a Masters degree and a Doctorate degree in biology from Ohio State University in 1950. He was a professor of biology at Denison University briefly before serving for eight years as the head of the biology department at Mount Union College in Alliance, Ohio. He was invited back to Denison where he taught biology and pre-med courses from 1959 until his retirement in 1984. During his tenure at Denison, he spent most summers at various universities throughout the country and at the nuclear reactor in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, as a researcher investigating biological occupational hazards, particularly lung diseases.

Gail and Faye lived in Granville for 46 years from 1959 to 2006, and were active members of the Centenary United Methodist Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Centenary United Methodist Church Endowment Fund, 102 E. Broadway, Granville, Ohio 43023 or to Westminster-Thurber Assisted Living, 717 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43215.

A memorial service will be held for both Gail and Faye Norris at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 31, 2010 at Centenary United Methodist Church, 102 E. Broadway, Granville with the Rev. Stephen J. Cramer officiating.

A private graveside service was held at College Cemetery on the campus of Denison University.

Arrangements are in the care of McPeek-Hoekstra Funeral Home in Granville. Online condolences may be expressed at www.mcpeekhoekstra.com.