Obituary of leroy "sonny" taylor norwood, Jr.

On Sunday, July 25, 2021, LeRoy “Sonny” Taylor Norwood, Jr., loving husband, father, and grandfather passed away at the age of 86. LT was born on September 4, 1934 in Cleveland, Mississippi to parents, Leroy Taylor Norwood, Sr. and Elise Estelle Crawford. He served in the Air Force from 1958-1962. Part of his service was in Korea as an airman during the war. He had a long career as an air traffic controller and was eventually promoted to supervisor for the Federal Aviation Administration. He was a pilot who spent 33 years teaching, flying and instrument training. A proud moment was when one of his students went on to be a Blue Angel pilot. During his years as a pilot, he received several volunteer awards for taking supplies to areas damaged by natural disasters. He was married to the love of his life, Patricia Broxson Norwood on June 7, 1985. His artwork and wood crafting are exquisite reminders of his talent as an artist. All the hours spent fishing on the boat, camping at Bear Lake, and working in his shop are cherished memories for his children and grandchildren. It will be hard to not think of him and all his stories of the woods when hunting season rolls around each year. However, he recorded the legacy of his life in a memoir called “Journey Between Two Eternities”. He was known for his quick wit and words of wisdom. He had an infectious smile, and compassionate heart for all who were ever blessed to call him husband, father, brother, or friend. Who could ever forget the way he took time to teach each one of us valuable skills or lessons about life? We are all certain that the first thing he asked for in heaven was, “What’s for dessert?” He was preceded in death by his parents; his younger brother, Mickey Norwood and his grandson, Maxwell Nicholas Norwood. As a survivor of plane crashes, falling out of a building, a massive heart attack, race car accidents, motorcycle crashes, and cancer, we thought he was invincible. His is survived by his loving wife, Patricia; daughters, Sherrye (Ed) Gilman and Kathye (Robert) Porter; sons, Frank (Lynne) Norwood and Jackson Craft Norwood; his stepchildren, Chad Craft and Gretchen (Darryl) Faust; brother, Bryson (Brenda) Norwood; his grandchildren, Danny (Jennie) Gilman, Eddie Gilman, Zack Levay, Kendall Faust, Dylan Craft, Amber Craft, Savannah (Tyler) Durbin, Brandon Craft and his five great-grandchildren, Riley, Natalie, Bradley, Carter and Lydia. A Memorial Celebration will be held on Friday, August 6, 2021 from 6:00-8:00pm at Gather @ Alyssa’s, 4580 Chumuckla Highway, Pace, Florida 32571.