Norman Vandivort, age 95, son of Homer and Florence Vandivort, was born on May 23, 1929, on a farm west of Houston. He passed away on March 19, 2025, in Cabool.
Norman is preceded in death by his parents and three sisters, Dora Fry, Edith Ballard and Estella Hanna. He is survived by his wife, Lois of the home; two sons, Robert of El Paso, Texas and Don of San Antonio, Texas, and daughter Linda Sankey, of California; a brother, Bill of Houston. Also, five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.Â
Norman grew up in the Houston area and graduated high school in 1948. He married Rae Little and to this union two sons were born and one daughter. Rae passed away in 1991. In 1993, Norman married Lois Hartman. Norman worked at International Shoe Co. for two years. In 1950, he joined the Air Force. He was part of a bombing program in 1951 and 1952. In 1952, he flew 33 combat missions over Korea. In 1953, he left the Air Force as a staff sergeant and became employed by the Chevron Oil Co. of Texas where he was employed for 33 years. At Chevron he worked for the safety department as an inspector, then worked for the accounting department as a timekeeper, scheduler and maintenance clerk. His last 10 years were in purchase and stores in the warehouse and tool room.
Norman was a long-standing member of the Freewill Baptist Church in El Paso and Licking, where he served as Sunday school teacher, sang in a quartet and played his harmonica with the choir.
After his retirement in 1987 from Chevron, Norman and Lois raised purebred Limousine stock, also gaited spotted saddle horses and miniature horses. After moving to town, they traveled extensively in the United States and 16 foreign countries.
Norman was an avid hunter and accomplished harmonica player and loved singing.
He will be missed by his family, church and friends.
A visitation for Norman will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 29, with a funeral service beginning at 10:30 a.m. at Evans Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left at evansfh.com.