James Robert Norwood

James Robert (Bob) Norwood was born on April 14, 1941, in DeQueen, Arkansas. He died with grace and dignity on June 30, 2021 at home in Lago Vista, Texas, after a long and courageous battle with metastatic pancreatic cancer. Bob died with the same attitude and drive as he had lived. After declining further treatment, Bob spent months creating and completing a huge checklist of things that needed to be done, planning everything out on spreadsheets and ensuring that his wife Tany would have knowledge of everything that she might EVER need to know, including finances, where pipes in the yard are buried, and knowledge of who to call in any situation that might arise. Even when he could barely move due to pain, he was out trying to fix the gate – a testament of his love for Tany and their home.

Bob was preceded in death by his mother and father, Glyn and Forgy Norwood. He is survived by his wife Tany Norwood, daughters Angela Kari and Debbie (children of Bob and Clara Norwood), granddaughters Azalea and Jennifer, sister-in-law Holly Thompson and her husband Don, and nephew Richard Thompson and his wife Nicolle. Bob is also survived by some of his dearest friends, including Clyde Little (Bob’s best friend for life), Ramón Sosa-Rodriguez, Glen Baumgart, Joe and Cheryl Stephens, and Johnny and Kristin Weaver. He referred to these people as his “family by choice”.

Bob married Tany Brydson Coker on June 11, 1988. Bob’s words: “On that day, my life changed forever and in such a good way. I learned what it was to truly love a woman. Tany was my one true love, partner, counselor, lover and friend.”

Bob’s talents and skills showed up early. In school, he played piano and was active in band and choir. He played the trombone through high school and college. Bob was also active in sports, including football, basketball and track. He earned letters and medals in all of these activities. Bob made All-State Band twice and was a member of the track team that won the state meet. He also was involved with the Boy Scouts of America, first as a member of Local Troop 54, sponsored by the DeQueen Lion’s Club, then earned the rank of Eagle Scout and served one year as the chief of the Akelawahenepy Lodge, a scouting organization honoring our Native American heritage.

Bob attended the University of Arkansas, self-funding almost his entire education with earnings from summer jobs. The academics were very rewarding for him, and he was also in the Razorback Band, where he became Drum Major. As he advanced academically, he was inducted into a number of Honor Societies, mostly related to Engineering. Bob graduated from the University of Arkansas in February 1964, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. After graduation, he had four job offers. Bob chose IBM and stayed with IBM for almost 30 years, with positions in Lexington, Austin, and The Netherlands. He also held positions at Dell, and was executive director of both the Austin Quality Award and the Texas Quality Award. He had the honor of planning and hosting the first Awards Ceremony for the Texas Quality Award at the Governor’s Mansion with Governor Ann Richards presenting the awards.

Although he didn’t recognize it at first, Bob’s “dream job” came when Emerson Systems (then known as Fisher-Rosemount Systems) approached him. After twice saying, “no”, Bob finally accepted the job and reported to Emerson on December 12, 1994 as the Director of Quality. Within 2 years he had advanced to Vice President of Quality where he was recognized across Emerson for his expertise. Bob led the sale of the Burnsville, MN facility and the consolidation of its activities into Austin and set up the Global Service Center in Manila.

Bob traveled extensively for business and for pleasure. Bob and Tany went on adventures of a lifetime. They were introduced to one of their favorite destinations in Europe, the Alsatian Wine Region of France, starting in Colmar, France and paralleling the Rhine north to Strasbourg. They simply loved to travel. England, Scotland, Ireland, with stops or stayovers at Leicester, Dublin, Stonehenge, Blarney, Kintyre Peninsula, Ring of Kerry, Waterford and Oban. Rome, cruises on the Rhine and Danube, trips to Turks and Caicos Islands, a week-long tour of Cuba, two weeks in Hungary, a cruise to Alaska, a week in Kauai.

Bob’s career was extraordinary – it would take multiple people to achieve the business success that Bob experienced in his lifetime. His love for his family and friends was true and loyal, and his pets (many dogs and cats) were dear to him throughout his life. While pancreatic cancer cut it short, Bob said that even if he were given the choice to do so, he would not change a nanosecond of his life, for if he did, he might not have enjoyed the good fortune he experienced, particularly during the last 30 or so years. This was Bob. He will remain in our hearts forever.

As per Bob’s request, there will not be a public service. But, as you might expect, he had some suggestions for things he would appreciate. Gather with friends and toast to the man who had lived the best life he could have imagined. Donate to a cause that is dear to you and will make the world a better place. If you love someone, tell them now and often. And live your best life.