On August 30, 1938, a lot of wonderful people were born into the world. Calvin Leevoy Norwood was the one born in Flat Rock, Ala. His father, Samuel Oliver and his mother, Nina Irene, were thrilled to welcome him into their house full of love, which included his two brothers, Charles and Samuel and a little sister, Tabitha.
He grew up a southern boy living in Alabama and Georgia, who enjoyed most of the things that boys love to do, fishing, bike riding and empty lot adventuring. When he became a man, he felt the call of duty to serve his country. Calvin joined the United States Navy and sailed the seas. Some of his favorite ports of call were in the country of Japan. Being stationed in Washington, though he also spent a lot of time in Bremerton, which plays an important part of the next chapter of his story.
A young lady from Bremerton, Josephine Hanson (along with her sister, Bipsey) was warned by her father many times not to walk by the shipyards much as there were a lot of “sailor types” there. Whether by accident or design (we feel it was the latter), Josephine did take a stroll or two and eventually met the sweet southern son and was smitten. Thus, their love story began and ended only with her death 53 years later. During those years, this faithful man and his wife raised six children in their own household of love. Calvin worked in the Naval shipyards for a time along with a few other odd jobs. He eventually went back to school and graduated from Saint Martin’s College with a degree in institutional c ounseling. Calvin then began his work helping to counsel and mentor troubled young men at the Green Hill School in Chehalis. Many boys were helped in their life’s journey by Calvin.
He eventually retired from Green Hill and he and Josephine settled in Rochester, Wash., to begin the next chapter of their lives…loving on and spoiling a new generation of family.
On February 3, 2017, Calvin left this life and the family he loved, to join his Savior and his sweet Josephine to start the final chapter of his life, the one that never ends! Among those who can’t wait to see him again are his sister, Tabitha and Bobby Ryan of Trenton, Ga; children, Stanley of Olympia, Wash. Michael and Koni of Rochester, Wash., Denise Norwood of Rochester, Wash., Sandra and Carl Upvall of Onalaska, Wash., William and Laura of Winlock, Wash., and Nina and Scott Reich of Fayetteville, Ark. He also enjoyed 20 grandchildren; and many, great-grandchildren, who loved spending time with their grandpa.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers; his beloved wife; and an infant son, Raymond David.
The family wishes to thank the team at Cook’s Hill Manor Assisted Living in Centralia and Providence Home Hospice, for all the help and care you provided. You were a blessing.
Calvin will later be interred, along with Josephine, at the Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Wash.
