Born and raised in Marshalltown Iowa, John graduated from Marshalltown High School in 1954. He shared many classic tales of small-town life, including all the typical hi-jinks one would expect… John was even a MHS Bobcat cheerleader.

In 1956, John married high school sweetheart Terry Reibsamen, who famously fainted at their wedding, but went on to stand by his side for 67 years. After boarding a train in Marshalltown, John and Terry honeymooned at the Drake Hotel in Chicago, where 50 years later their now-large family gathered to celebrate their anniversary.

John attended Grinnell College and then earned a degree in Industrial Management from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1960. As the grandson of company founder D.W. Norris, and son of then-current CEO John W. Norris Sr., John grew up playing hide-and-seek with brother Bob in the big Lennox Industries factory in Marshalltown. As a teenager, he started working on the maintenance crew during summers, in the tin shop, and on the factory presses; eventually working in almost every department leading to his role as CEO and Board Chair.

John stood out as a man of strong principles and high ethics, and he transferred these into the corporate culture of Lennox. He is credited with building Lennox into the large multinational manufacturing firm it is today. He in turn was quick to acknowledge the critical roles played by wonderful colleagues he worked with over the years, many of whom remained lifelong friends.

While his family was immensely proud of John's career, it was his humility and generosity they cherished the most. He always left work at the office and was a real family man. Children Bo, Julie and Jeff came along while John and Terry were in their early 20's. Time flew by, with wonderful memories of Colorado ski trips and summers spent at the family cabin on Lake Bertha in Minnesota.

John loved to fly and was a serious pilot with instrument and multi-engine ratings. Family, friends, cats and dogs climbed into the Cherokee Six (and later the Beech Baron) for destinations near and far. Sometimes John would fly the children over the patchwork fields of corn and beans to Chicago for the day, where they joined Terry's brother John (“Uncle”) to visit the Field Museum or the Museum of Science and Industry.

“Johnny” (as he was often known) loved to host or join gatherings of the extended clan, with generations young and old, from immediate family to distant cousins. As they all came to appreciate his dedication to family, he appreciated and kept up with all the milestones and stories that were shared. Many caught and learned to filet their first fish by his side at Lake Bertha and all of them bear wounds from the inner tube rides behind his vintage Boston Whaler!

After moving with Lennox headquarters to Dallas in 1978, John and Terry joined a group of fellow fun-loving lifetime learners called “Topics.” Together they held lectures and planned annual educational trips to destinations all over the world.

Behind the scenes, John became a generous and effective philanthropist. He served for years on the board of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in Texas. He was especially proud of spearheading the TNC Staff Enrichment Week, which annually gathers TNC employees from across the globe for a weeklong session of continuing education and networking in Nebraska City, Nebraska. John, Terry, and their children attended Staff Enrichment frequently, where they enjoyed speaking with and learning alongside the many participants. Through them, the program will have a lasting impact and the world will be a little better off.

While battling Parkinson's, John quickly learned of the value speech therapy can play while augmenting the regime of medications, physical therapy and Rock Steady Boxing. To keep his voice strong, he became an advocate, joining Parkinson Voice Project in Richardson, Texas, an organization which provides free ongoing speech therapy for thousands around the globe.

John and Terry moved to Piper Shores on the coast of Maine in 2021. The family wishes to thank the Holbrook staff for the care given to John. A celebration of life to be held later this year is being planned.

John is survived by wife Terry, children: Bo (Cathy Houlihan), Julie (Brian Kopper), Jeff (Laura Newman); brother Bob; sister Megan; grandchildren: Ben (Lauren O’Sullivan), Will, Lily Kneeland (Gage), Jondall and Charlie; and many well-loved and respected nieces, nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by his father and mother John Windsor Norris Sr. and Mary Merrill.

Memorial gifts may be directed to:

John Norris Memorial – Staff Enrichment Week

The Nature Conservancy

2632 Broadway

Suite 201-S

San Antonia, TX 78215

Parkinson Voice Project

646 N. Coit Road

Suite 2250

Richardson, Texas 75080

Camp Chippewa Foundation

7359 Niagara Lane North

Maple Grove, MN 55311

Condolences may be expressed online at www.hobbsfuneralhome.com