James W. Norby

James W. Norby, age 78, of Biloxi, MS died December 18, 2007. Mr. Norby was born in Morris, MN and had been a resident of the MS Gulf Coast since 1964. He was a 1947 graduate of Morris High School, Morris, MN. In 1948, he enlisted in the USAF, served a full career and retired as a Senior Master Sergeant in 1973, at Keesler AFB, MS. During military service his primary duties were as an electronic (RADAR) technician and instructor. He was stationed at many different locations in the continental U.S. and overseas locations including Japan, Korea, Alaska, Australia and Spain. Among medals and decorations he received were: Meritorious Service Medal; AF Commendation (twice); Army of Occupation (Japan); Korean War Service; UN Service (Korea) and many others. While stationed at Keesler AFB, MS he met Dell, who was a civilian employee on base. They were married in 1969. Dell retired in 1989 after 34 years of federal civilian employment. After military retirement, Jim returned to school and earned a B.S. degree from University of Southern MS. He then went to Saudi Arabia and under a Lockheed contract was an instructor in Radar Systems to Royal Saudi Air Force officers. His next job was at Thule, Greenland as a training supervisor at the Ford Aerospace Satellite Tracking Station. Returning to the U.S. in 1981, he was employed in federal civil service, as an electronics instructor/training specialist, at Keesler AFB, finally retiring in 1994. Mr. Norby was a lifetime member of VFW Post #5039, Morris, MN. He was a member of Masonic Lodge #630 Biloxi, MS and a 32 degree Scottish Rite Mason, Gulfport, MS. James was baptized into the Lutheran faith at Holmes City, MN, and confirmed at First Lutheran Church, Morris, MN in 1943. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Ruth Norby. He is survived by his wife, Dell Norby of Biloxi, MS and his sister, Mary Krattenmaker of Morris, MN. In lieu of flowers the family prefers donations to The Humane Society of South MS, 2615 25th Ave., Gulfport, MS 39501. A funeral service will be held on Friday, December 21, 2007 at 2:30 pm at the Pass Road Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes where friends may call one hour prior to service. Burial will follow at the Biloxi National Cemetery with full Military Honors.