February 18, 1947 – April 16, 2024
Retired Pastor Ray L. Norris, age 77, passed away on Monday, April 16, 2024 in Lincoln, Nebraska. He was born on February 18, 1947, in Superior, Nebraska to Ray E. and Barbara (Gates) Norris. Ray was a devout clergyman in the United Methodist Church and touched many lives during his years of ministry.
In his youth, Ray enjoyed spending time relaxing with his father and son along with countless friends. You could find him fishing, golfing, pheasant hunting or cruising around town. As a young man, he loved the time he spent as a radio DJ in his hometown of Superior, NE and had a real knack for auctioneering. When Ray received his calling to the ministry, most of his fulfillment was found in the mission work he was continuously orchestrating. Youth group mission trips, jail ministry, leading his devout followers on several trips to the Holy Land and working with the Salvation Army in disaster relief, to name just a few. Above all, Ray enjoyed making anyone he could, laugh. With true compassion and unmatched empathy for all of God’s children, his ability to guide an individual’s spirit and heart towards the love of the Lord was his ultimate gift. In the later years of his service, he found a true calling in funeral ministry. Helping lay to rest the loved ones of countless families. Above all, his message has always remained steadfast; The doors to the house of the Lord are to always remain open to any and every soul that desires to receive the all-encompassing love of Christ’s embrace.
Ray is survived by his wife, Maggie Norris; daughters Michelle (Fred) Perez and Amanda ‘Mandi’ Norris; grandsons James Stacken, Justin McCurdy, and Jacob Norris; granddaughters Hope (Travis) Weis and Riley Burton; great-grandchildren Aiden and Carter Stacken; sister-in-law Kathy (Nick) Eberspacher; nephew Andrew Eberspacher; special family members Matt and Katie Burton; and many other loving family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Barbara Norris; son Brent Allen Norris; and grandparents Otis and Vida Norris.
Memorial Service will be held at 1:00pm on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Lakeview United Methodist Church, 230 Capitol Beach Blvd. in Lincoln with Pastor Hollis Patterson officiating. A reception will be held after the memorial service. Inurnment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Seward, Nebraska.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to the family for future designations.
Ray (and Maggie) have been a blessing and a joy to us and for us these last 25 years as we shared precious grandchildren through our blended families.
His steadfast faithfulness and solid leadership through the Lakeside church meant so much to us during the historic world-wide dilemma of Covid-19. As non-Methodists and distant worshipers we benefited from his weekly worship via newly-technical “streaming”.
Ray was a valuable servant of his Lord for decades. Now he resides at God’s right hand. And we’ll miss him…for a while.
Maggie and family,
Our sincere sympathy to you in the loss of Ray. What a wonderful Christian man. Our prayers are with you.
Our deepest sympathy for Ray’s family. He was our pastor in Lodgepole when our youngest was going through some medical procedures when little. Ray was always with us when he was able to be and was a great support person for us!! RIP Ray!
so sorry to hear of the loss of Ray.. I am living in Lincoln also.
Maggie and family you will be in my heart and prayers! Pastor Ray was an incredible man! He will live on in many hearts! sending you love!
I opened the email of the Great Plains Conference to be shocked by the announcement of Ray’s death. I was his District Superintendent when he served Osmond and his colleague when he served with me at Kearney First. He was definitely a servant and a disciple. Maggie and family, please be blessed by the testimonies honoring him and the faith that abides in you always. Berdeen and I send our love.
Maggie, I am so very sorry to learn of Ray’s passing. Have many wonderful memories of you guys Thinking of you and your family at this time. May God give you comfortl
Ray, along with Maggie visited our home often as my husband Duane fought cancer. Their visits were always welcome and so comforting. God bless Ray for the work he did all these years. Sending hugs to Maggie and the family during this difficult time.
I had such a great affection for this man, the times we spent together. Kansas City, Israel, so many times we got together and enjoyed each other‘s company. My heart goes out to you, Maggie and family.
Sending our deepest condolences to Maggie and the family. Pastor Norris was a great man, a kind and loving person. He will be dearly missed.
I got to know Ray while he was at Lakeview Methodist and I at Lakeview Elementary. What a great man who will be missed dearly.
Pastor Ray was a very unique individual who could relate to anyone, any age group. Having four foster boys, all age seventeen, he sought each one out and gave them positive attention. All four of my boys did job shadowing with Ray as was required for their class at school and they loved getting to spend the individual time with him. I never had a problem getting them out of bed to attend services on Sunday morning because they adored him and they loved Maggie’s gentleness and kindness. The favorite saying at our house was “What would Pastor Ray say?” when one of the guys would be acting out. This always made me feel good when I would hear one boy tell another this, as I knew Ray was getting through to them. God bless you Maggie and know that Pastor Ray, you will be sorely missed.
I have fond memories of Ray. I got to know him when he was part of the Lincoln/Lancaster County Chaplaincy Corps (Police/Fire/Sheriff). He had a real knack for bringing the love of his Lord into every situation. Chaplaincy is by no means an easy job, and we rely upon our volunteers like Ray to provide this most important service. We appreciate his service in our midst, and we commend him to the mercy and grace of our Lord in heaven. Blessed be his memory.