Don Norvelle

On January 16, 2013, Fredrick Donald (Don) Norvelle went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Services have been entrusted to the care of Palmer Marler Funeral Home and will be held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at the Hillcrest Baptist Church. Visitation will be held on Monday, January 21st from 8am to 8pm.
Don Norvelle was born March 17, 1938 in Moran, Texas to Johnnie Beatrice Herring Norvelle and Fredrick Leon Norvelle. On June 17, 1958 he married his high school sweetheart, Evelyn Maxwell. In 1958 he joined the United States Air Force. The Air Force took him to Japan, England, and numerous stateside bases. After retiring as a Major, Don worked briefly in Ft. Worth, Texas.
Don came to Stillwater to be the Assistant Director of the Fluid Power Research Center. The move to Stillwater was his 19th move in 21 years. Later on, Don began teaching classes in the Mechanical Power Technology Department at Oklahoma State University. During his teaching years he wrote two textbooks for his classes.

When Don retired from the University, he had more time for his hobbies: music, long distance bicycling, traveling, and chip carving.

His son-in-law, Chris Henderson, wrote this on his facebook page: My father-in-law, Don Norvelle, passed away this evening after a long battle with cancer. Hed been married to my mother-in-law for over 50 years. During that time, while raising four kids, he served in the Air Force, retiring as a Major. He then went on to Oklahoma State University as a professor of fluid hydraulics, authoring a textbook during his tenure there. When I married his youngest daughter, he accepted me into his family without hesitation. He was a man of passion, compassion, faith, and integrity. During his illness, he faced cancer with more courage than Ive seen from men in combat. I am truly grateful to have had him in my life, and can only hope to follow the example he has set.
Don was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters: Mary Launa Carter and Tippy Olson. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn, of the home. One sister: Oleta Hooks of Amarillo, TX; three daughters: Babs Temple of Garland, TX, Cery Norvelle of Stillwater, OK and Debbie Henderson and husband Chris, of Celina, TX. One son: Bob Norvelle and his wife DelAnn, of Gilbert, AZ; 12 Grandchildren: Patrick Norvelle, Jenni Temple Faworski, Chris Temple, Jeremy Temple, Jessica Norvelle Rogers, Rhys Norvelle, Makenzie Norvelle, Stephen Norvelle, Jeremiah Rosenquist, Ashley Rosenquist Ingalls, Andy Keener, and Casey Keener; four great grandchildren, and numerous cousins.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Judith Karman Hospice in care of Palmer Marler Funeral Home 5106 N. Washington, Stillwater, OK 74075.
Condolences may be sent to the family via an online guestbook at www.pmcfh.com or on facebook at www.facebook.com/pmcfh