Dr. Larry B. Norris
A Legacy Well Remembered
May 20, 1945 - November 17, 2024
Began his journey at FTCC (then FTI) as an English instructor
Chairman of the English Department
Associate Dean of Instruction for General Education
Dean of Curriculum instruction
Appointed Vice President for Academic Affairs
Served as President of FTCC
Retirement. Joined in 2012 by Esther, and in 2014 by Andrew.
Dr. Norris dedicated nearly four decades to advancing education and workforce development. His leadership spearheaded technological innovation at FTCC, including some of the first virtual courses offered in North Carolina colleges. while maintaining its core mission of serving the community.
Dr. Norris was an ardent genealogy enthusiast, and traced his ancestry back to before the Norman invasion of England.
In his retirement years, Dr. Norris found a profound fulfillment from life's simple pleasures: tending to his garden, sharing daily moments with his beloved dog Esther, and sharing his love of British mysteries and cooking with his son Andrew.
As a son seeking the most fitting tribute, the most poignant tribute I can offer are his own heartfelt words, written about his own father:
Time for each of us is a precious gift, never guaranteed and easily lost in the process of living. Too often we set our eyes towards goals, frantically work toward the accomplishment, but fail to savor the process. Every word and action will have a direct consequence for good or bad. The saddest of all remembrances is looking back at lost opportunities to show our love or to share ourselves with family, friends, and even strangers. How wonderful to look back at Fletcher Norris and remember his love for his family and fellowman, to have vivid pictures of him taking time to play with his children and grandchildren, to help a friend in need, and to work hard, always with joy in his heart, to provide for his family.
None of us knows what effect our living will have on the world. Someday our descendents will look back at us and remember what impact we had on those around us. From the union of Fletcher and Nora, there have been more than 50 direct descendents to date, each with his or her own special gift to influence the world.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the FTCC Foundation's Fletcher and Nora P. Norris Memorial Endowed Scholarship are greatly appreciated.
A Facebook Discussion Thread on Dr. Norris' Time at FTCC
Page created by Andrew Norris. Read how this page was made.