Mr. Norman Alonzo Fernandez Sr., son of the late Alonzo and Nora Fernandez, was born on Nov. 19, 1940, in Canton, Ohio. Norm rested peacefully as The Lord took him into his kingdom on Monday, Nov. 12, 2018 at 5:17 a.m., surrounded by his family and their prayers.
Norm was an energetic boy who was always eager to learn and laugh. While he was working with Theatre’s Guild as a young adult, Norm would meet the love of his life, Janet Lynn Bulso. The pair were inseparable and after a few short months, united in holy matrimony on Dec. 2, 1961. The union was blessed with four adoring children.
In his early years, he was an avid golfer, director of Junior Achievement, and 4th degree Knights of Columbus. Norm began his career at Massey Ferguson. After accepting a new position as a Materials Manager for Peabody Galion, he relocated to Durant, Okla. with his family in 1979.
In 1982, Norm became the proud business owner of Suburban Sanitation Company. Initially, he specialized in a few rural areas in Bryan County. He began to set off on foot in hopes of finding potential customers. Nearly a decade and a half later, they were servicing the Tri-County area and Lake Texoma, thanks to Norm’s perseverance, work ethic, and his motivational spirit.
Norm’s happiest moments in life were spent enjoying coffee with his Bride on the porch every morning and chatting for hours. If he wasn’t driving across the state or country to see his family, he was most likely watching one of his four football teams or collecting his POGO points online. He was a true intellect and learning was one of his life-long passions.
Norm’s devoted commitment to family and God was unrivaled. He was the consummate family man and worked hard to watch each of his four children graduate from college. Norm was an exceptional man who led by example and touched every single life he encountered. His smile was infectious and his laugh was truly contagious. His sense of humor was a driving force for love, light, and positivity. He was a gifted story teller and touched thousands of lives over his 77 years. Norm’s kind demeanor, loving heart, funny voices, and illuminating smile will be eternally missed by his family and friends.
Norm is survived by his soulmate, Janet Bulso Fernandez; his four children and their spouses, Norm, Jr. and Teresa Fernandez, Timothy and Karen Fernandez, Jeff Fernandez, and his baby girl Kathy Fernandez Eason; his seven grandchildren, Timothy Jr., Joseph and Katie Jane Fernandez, Nicole Ann Fernandez, Thomas Fernandez and Drew and Piper Eason.
A rosary will be held at Gordon Funeral Home on Friday, Nov. 16 from 5:30-6:00 p.m. and calling hours will be held from 6-8 p.m. His celebration of life will be held at St. Williams Catholic Church in Durant on Saturday, Nov. 17 at 11 a.m. Interment will be held at Highland Cemetery in Durant.
Pallbearers will be Bob Ansiel, Jay Cuesta, Dr. Manny Cuesta, Drew Eason, Dr. Duke Eason, Thomas Fernandez, Roger McGehee, Ben Schiebe, and Casey Worsham. Honorary Pallbearers will Kirk Ashton and Sam Smith.
Services are entrusted to Gordon Funeral Home, 221 N. Third Ave. in Durant.
Phone: 580-916-9090
www.gordonfh.com
Donations may be made in his honor to St. Williams Catholic Church Building Fund of Durant, Okla.