John Allen Norris

Kenesaw resident, John Allen Norris, 89, died Saturday, July 23, 2011 in Kenesaw, NE. Services will be Wednesday, July 27, 10:30 at the Kenesaw United Methodist Church, following visitation at the Jackson Wilson Funeral Home, Kenesaw, NE, Tuesday, July 26 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. with family present from 6-8 p.m. Burial will follow Thursday July 28 at the Mt. Hope Cemetery in Mound City, Mo. Condolences may be sent to the family from www.brandwilson.com. Allen and his twin, James Albert, were born on a farm near Mound City, Missouri, January 24th, 1922 to Orville and Nevada (Carder) Norris. A 1939 graduate of Mound City High school, Allens subsequent farming career was cut short by WWII, which prompted the twins to immediately enlist in the Navy, serving together aboard the USS Walker as Machinist Mates. Red as his shipmates called him, was put in charge of the ships diesel engines, serving in the Atlantic and Pacific Theatres. An avid participant in the USS Kidd Association reunions (DESRON 48 Squadron) for the last fifteen years, Allen also served as honorary ships captain. After the war Allen farmed in NW Missouri , then went on to graduate from NU with a BS in Agriculture in 1953. He joined First National Bank, Lincoln in 1960 in a farm management capacity based out of Axtell, NE and in 1965 became Vice President and Agricultural Representative in the Correspondent Bank Department in Lincoln. In that capacity he traveled statewide managing relationships with numerous out state banks. In 1966 Allen graduated from the University of Colorado, School of Banking. Allen moved to Kenesaw, Nebraska in 1967 where he became an officer with Adams County Bank until his retirement. Allen also raised cattle and operated a hay baling business with son Dale. Allen served as a board member for the Deluxe Manufacturing company in Kearney, Packers National Bank of Omaha, and Adams County Bank, Kenesaw. He was also past president of the South Platte Chamber of Commerce and the Kenesaw, NE and Mound City, MO chapters of the American Legion and longtime member of the Nebraska Bankers Association. Along with golf in any form, Allen greatly enjoyed sharing and assembling golf clubs, coaching American Legion Baseball, working out at the Kenesaw Fitness Center, gardening, hunting, bowling league and watching NU womens volleyball and his grandsons hockey games. In later years Allen and Bette also became snowbirds along the beaches of Gulf Shores, Alabama during the winter months. Allen attended the United Methodist Church of Kenesaw. Allen is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Bette (McKown), children Cathy Norris of Lone Tree, Colorado; Dale Norris of Lenexa, Kansas; Janet Elaine Barber of Douglas, Nebraska; and Lee Thieszen of Aurora, Nebraska, nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and countless friends that Allen considered family just the same. In lieu of flowers contributions may be given to the United Methodist Church, Kenesaw Public School Foundation, Kenesaw Baseball/Softball Association or the Mound City, MO, American Legion Post.