~ IN MEMORY ~
USAF veteran, DL Capt. Vernon Raymond Norris
OCTOBER 15, 1946 – SEPTEMBER 2, 2020
Word has reached our group with the passing of retired Delta
Captain Vernon Raymond Norris, age 73. Captain
Norris joined Delta Air Lines 07-02-1973 and was Atlanta based. He is survived by his wife Diane, his
daughter Jessica and his grandchildren.
To view the obituary online and share memories please visit
For those who may wish to send a personal note, the family’s
address is listed in whitepages as
6209 Spalding Drive, Norcross GA 30092.
Thank you,
~ Carol for the PCN
Obituary: Vernon
Norris, a long-time resident of Atlanta, GA, died unexpectedly on September 2,
2020 at the age of 73. Vernon is survived by his beloved wife of 48 years,
Diane Royer Norris; his daughter, Jessica Norris Callaham and her husband
Steve; grandchildren Ryan and Madeline. He is preceded in death by his parents,
Farold and Marie Norris. Vernon was born in Washington DC on October 15, 1946.
He attended the University of Maryland and upon graduation in 1968, joined the
Air Force pilot training program. In 1971, he met Diane at Capon Springs, a
family resort in West Virginia where he often vacationed with his parents as a
child, and they were married a year later.
After serving in the Air Force, he began his career with
Delta Airlines in 1973. During his 30-year career as a pilot, he rose to the
rank of international captain before retiring in 2003. Vernon loved music. This
inspired him to play the piano, apprentice as a piano tuner, and volunteer at
the Atlanta Opera. He also loved hiking Stone Mountain many times per week and
was active in Birds of a Feather International where he dedicated his time and
support to fellow pilots.
Vernon’s greatest love was travel. He thoroughly enjoyed
discovering and learning about new destinations and sharing his knowledge with
friends and family. During retirement, he fulfilled a dream of owning a
vacation home in Hawaii and spent a lot of time there hiking and exploring the
islands. He also planned memorable family trips to Disney, Hawaii, Washington
DC, and the Grand Canyon. Every year, he looked forward to the annual family
trip to Capon Springs and visiting the family farmhouse with Diane’s extended
family. When he was not traveling, he was very active in attending Ryan’s golf
tournaments and Madeline’s gymnastics competitions.
Private services for the family will be held in the coming
week, and interment will be at the Georgia National Cemetery in October. In
lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be sent to the Gary
Sinise Foundation at www.garysinisefoundation.org/donate/ or the Tallulah Falls
School Vernon Norris Memorial Scholarship Fund at www.tallulahfalls.org/advancement/donate-now.cms
H.M.
Patterson & Son-Arlington Chapel
173 Allen
Road NE, Sandy Springs, GA
My name is Madeline Callaham, and this was my grandfather. This was an extremely tragic event, and Vernon Raymond Norris will be missed dearly. There are so many memories of him that I will cherish in my heart forever and ever. We all love you Poppop! We will see you again soon in heaven. I love you so much!
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