James H. “Big Jim” Norvell passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 at St. Luke’s Hospice in Duluth, he was 77 years old.
Jim was born on September 21, 1939 to Horace and Jeanne Norvell. He met and married his wife Judy on November 19, 1958. In the 1970s Jim and Judy raised their four children in various cities in North Dakota and Minnesota. Jim worked for the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America for most of his adult life where he fostered a great love for the kids, not only of his own but of all kids. Not a Girl Scout passed by that he did not buy boxes of cookies from. In the 1980s Jim and Judy discovered the North Shore by first coming to work weekends at Solbakken Resort and eventually buying a second home at Norwood Shores in Lutsen. After a few years of weekends, they realized the dream of owning a business and purchased the Schroeder Short Stop, which Jim ran for several years. He loved being a part of the West End community, which was clear through his involvement in the Father Baraga’s Cross project and the Schroeder Historical Society. He was also a Citizen of the Year for the small town he dearly loved. He next worked at the AmericInn in Tofte and eventually found his calling selling real estate for the Detrick Family at Coldwell Banker North Shore. He loved meeting people who had the same dream of living and working on the North Shore. Jim then retired and spent the rest of his years chasing his grandkids all over the state to every game they played. Whether it was volleyball, hockey, softball, or baseball, he rarely missed a game. No matter where they played, his grandkids were blessed to have the most devoted fan ever and in turn they were the light of his life. And it wasn’t just sports; he was a huge supporter of the Cook County High School Band, the local Girl Scout troops and a bonus Grandpa to many kids in Cook County.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents and daughter Patty.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Judy, daughter Kathy, daughter Susan Roy (Jim), son Andy (Shelley), grandchildren Madison, Cameron, Hailey, Nate, Megan and two great-grandchildren. He is also survived by brothers Max and Scott and sister Ann.
We are grateful for the kind and compassionate care he received at St. Luke’s Hospice; the staff made a very difficult time a bit more bearable.
A memorial mass will be held Monday, July 17 at 4 p.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church in Grand Marais followed immediately by a reception in the church hall. Memorials are preferred to St. John’s Catholic Church or Silver Bay Blue Line Club. Cremation Society of Minnesota 218-624-5200.
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