Michael "Mike" Ray Norris

Mike Norris
Mike Norris, 54, of Unionville, MO, passed away at the North Kansas City Hospital in North Kansas City, MO, on Friday, May 27, 2011.
Michael Ray Norris was born in Kirksville, MO, on April 5, 1957, the son of Robert and Verba (Crooks) Norris. Mike was reared in the Unionville area where he graduated from Unionville High School in 1975. On August 25, 1974, Mike married Carol Pauley and three children were born to this union.
Mike went to work with his father at Unionville Sales Company immediately after high school and co-owned and operated that business until selling it. He continued his work as a cattle order buyer which he had also done in addition to his work at ULM. Mike was well known and respected in the cattle industry and was often referred to as “the farmer’s friend.”
Mike liked to restore old tractors as well as collect miniature and pedal tractors. His greatest love was for his family and he dearly loved his grandkids. He was a member of the Elks Lodge in Milan, the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, and had recently attended the Presbyterian Church in Milan.
Mike Norris is survived by his partner, Dianne Swearengen, and children Jennifer Norris (Aaron Brown) of Olathe, KS, Lea (Patrick Pack) Norris of Trenton, MO, Bradley (Dawn) Norris of Hubert, NC, and Bobby (Jessica) McCollum of Browning, MO. Surviving grandchildren are Paxton Pack, Gracie McCollum, and Christopher McCollum. Mike is also survived by his father, Robert Norris and friend Jeanette of Georgia. Surviving siblings are sisters Pat (Mike) Geosling of Green City, MO, Kathy (Paul) Mika of Michigan, Jean (Randy) Garten of Florida, half-brother Cliff (Diane) Kelly and step-brother Rick Wright of Corydon, IA and step-sister Valerie Graham of Blue Springs, MO. Diane’s mother, Bonnie Swearengen, also survives Mike.
Mike was preceded in death by his mother, Verba, a brother, Bobby Norris, and a sister, Karen Norris, who died in infancy.
Services for Mike Norris will be at the First Christian Church in Unionville, MO, at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, June 1, 2011, with visitation at Playle & Jones Family Funeral Home on Tuesday, May 31 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. Interment will be in the Unionville Cemetery, Unionville, MO.
Memorials for Mike Norris are suggested to the donor’s choice and may be entrusted with Playle & Jones Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th, Unionville, MO 63565.