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Obituary for NORVELL


Published in the Albuquerque Journal on Wednesday September 11, 2013

NORVELL, JOHN CRAIG John C. Norvell, 79, died peacefully at the Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center in Albuquerque on Friday evening, September 6, 2013, after a long struggle with cancer. Born in Shady Grove, Kentucky on August 29, 1934 and nicknamed "J.C.", John graduated from Princeton (Ky.) High School in 1953. Touting himself as a "Princeton man," John began work on July 13, 1953 for Ford Motor Company in Detroit, where he learned his life's trade as a machinist. He then joined the U.S. Army in 1957 and traveled to New Mexico, where he married Margaret Jojola on May 23, 1959. For the next half-century, "Ol' J.C." worked as a machinist for local companies, including American Gypsum, Eidol Company, and Gaddis Machine, and at times he parlayed his mastery of detail into jewelry making. In the 1980s, he became a partner in Macro Machine & Fabrication and later Belen Machine & Welding, from which he retired on July 14, 2012, marking 59 years and one day as a machinist. John was also a member of the Freemasons of New Mexico for 50 years. He will be remembered for his off-color humor, his penchant for a good Southern quip, and as a mentor to many who needed help in difficult times. He was preceded in death by Margaret; his parents, Elisha Dewey and Mabel Harriet; and brothers Raymond and Bill. He is survived by daughter Stacy Norvell and granddaughter Tyler Olguin of Isleta; son Craig of Albuquerque; son Eric, daughter-in-law Meghan, and granddaughters Willa and Oona; sisters-in-law Leona Norvell of Collinsville, Illinois and Nancy Norvell of Evansville, Indiana; Betty Uelinger and nephew Randy Norvell of Evansville; and friends too numerous to count. A rosary will be held at the St. Augustine Church in Isleta Pueblo on September 11, 2013 at 10:00 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Fairview Memorial Park, 700 Yale Blvd. SE in Albuquerque. Pallbearers will be Craig Norvell, Eric Norvell, Michael Jojola, Bruce Lowe, J.R. Craig, and John Gurule. Honorary pallbearers will be lifelong friends Hilton "Happy Jack" Thomason and Joe Smith. "Every day be Sunday by and by." To view information or leave a condolence please visit www.danielsfuneral.com Daniels Family Funeral Services 3113 Carlisle Blvd NE Albuquerque, NM 87110 505-884-1188


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