JOE BRUCE NORMAN

Joe Bruce Norman, age 68, of Genoa, Arkansas, passed away of natural causes on Sunday, April 26, 2020, at his home accompanied by his wife of 47 years.

Joe was born October 31, 1951, in Beaumont, Texas, to Joe Oscar Norman, Jr. and Evelyn Arline Norman.

Joe served as worship leader at Church on the Rock, Texarkana, Texas, for 12 years. Joe was gifted with a musical talent unmatched by most, but he always elevated his fellow singers and musicians. He was a humble man to be sure. He was a multi-talented singer, song writer, and musician, as his music attested to. Joe also has tuned most of the pianos in a 150-mile radius to his home in Genoa, Arkansas, including the Texarkana Symphony Orchestra and the Perot Theatre. In Joe’s spare time he enjoyed the five loves of his life; his music, bass fishing, the Dallas Cowboys (yes, Joe was a very faithful, optimistic fan), and most importantly, his family, most of all his loving wife Gayle, and his friends. Joe would give away the shirt off his back to help someone in need. His parents instilled in him the principle that “it’s not how people treat you, it’s how you treat people”, and love people, he did. He had a larger than life personality only equal to his big and loving heart that was felt by all who knew him. Joe was a man of faith and an imperfect but devoted Christian. He did not have a judgmental bone in his body. He accepted everyone for who and where they were in life. He was an East Texas country boy at heart and spirit and was never ashamed of his roots or where he came from.

Joe is survived by his wife, Gayle and his two sons that he was so proud of, Daniel Van Norman and his wife Kodi of Genoa, Arkansas, and Gabriel Norman and his wife Peggy Baddour of Wilmington, North Carolina, four grandchildren, Asa, Zane, Naomi, and Declan Van Norman. Joe’s only sister, Arline Elizabeth Norman, preceded Joe in death in 1957.

Memorial Services will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, May 30, 2020 at Twin Creeks Lake Pavilion – 125 Private Road 1216, Texarkana, Arkansas with Glen Vuorenne officiating.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Texarkana Funeral Home, Arkansas.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project - 2200 Space Park Drive, Suite 100 - Houston, Texas 77058.

Online registration is at www.texarkanafuneralhome.com.