Norman Earl Adams was called home by Christ Our Savior and reunited with his bride Debbie Sue on August 8, 2026.  Norman was born on December 21, 1944, to Maurice Griffin (M.G.) and Dorothy Adams in Bainbridge, Georgia, the second of their three children.  Donald (Don) was his older brother, and Shirley was his younger sister.  The Adams family settled in the Houston area in 1947.  Norman attended elementary school at Our Savior Lutheran School, where he met the love of his life, Debbie Sue Sherrill, in the first grade.  Norman and Debbie were confirmed together at Our Savior Lutheran Church.  They attended Black Junior High, Reagan High School, and Waltrip High School where Norman played varsity football as a 148- pound defensive safety under the legendary Coach Les Burton. 

 

After graduating from Waltrip High School, Norman went to work as a draftsman for Capitol Iron and Steel and he attended night school at the University of Houston, but he soon found that he did not have the patience for either pursuit.  Norman and Debbie married in 1964 and that same year Norman went to work with Maurice at Adams Insurance Service.   

 

Norman quickly discovered that he had a talent for salesmanship and customer service.  So began a six-decade career in insurance.  Norman built a reputation for bringing energy and passion to everything he did.  In the 1990s, “Stormin’ Norman” stuck as a nickname.  It was not always meant as a compliment.  Through the years, many of his business associates became his close friends.  Norman forged deep and life-long friendships with men like Ralph and John L. Marek and the entire Marek family. Jack Fields, Jerry Stovall, J.R. Moseley, and John Norkus were friends, mentors, and counselors.  Norman also had a talent for recruiting and building a team to work with him at the Agency.  Many enjoyed 30 and 40-year careers working with Norman and Adams Insurance.  Norman looked upon them all as his family and they returned that same love in kind over the years.   

 

Norman and Debbie raised two children, Tracy Lynn and Andrew Allan.  Norman took a “full contact” approach to parenting.  Half efforts were not acceptable, and quitting was NEVER an option.  But, once the job was done, no one was more generous at rewarding the accomplishment or better at consoling an effort that came up short.   Norman was never shy about saying “I love you” or . . . belting out “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” at the top of his lungs at the cruise ship piano bar.  Your degree of embarrassment was not a consideration.  With Norman, nothing was ever left to the imagination. 

 

As the President of Our Savior Lutheran Church, Norman’s defining work was pouring all of himself into the purchase, development, and construction of OSL’s campus on Tidwell Road.  No detail was too small to notice.  Norman insisted on being with the crew that set the three pieces of the 32-ton steeple in place to make sure it fit.  It was a perfect fit.  But Norman’s support for this ministry went beyond the physical structures.  He was a fervent supporter of the called workers serving the congregation in the church and the school.  Norman and Debbie spared no effort to support the ministers and teachers at OSL.  They had great admiration for their sacrifice and dedication to the ministry of the church and school.  

 

In politics, Norman was never content sitting on the sidelines.  He knew its impact on his city, state, country, and his business and his customers’ business.  He was a Texas Republican long before it was cool to be a Texas Republican.  But if Norman believed in an issue, the labels did not matter. He was a fierce defender of the unborn and every pro-life cause.  He fought Republicans over state franchise and property taxes, and he worked with Democrats on immigration reform.  Over the last few years, Norman’s favorite political “engagement” was handing out free “Make America Great Again” hats to anyone who wanted them . . . and a few who did not.     

 

Perseverance and fearlessness were Norman’s greatest strengths.  He was incapable of resting on his laurels, always looking for the next challenge or project.  Temperance and patience were NOT virtues that came easy to Norman.  He was often at his most fiery and ill-tempered with his closest friends and family.  But a harsh word would soon give way to a kind one if you waited long enough for the storm to pass.   Norman knew he was a broken vessel in need of a Savior, and Our Lord used Norman’s talents AND his flaws to accomplish His purposes at every step of the way.  These last few years since the loss of Debbie Sue have been among the most challenging for Norman.  His body was breaking down physically and he could no longer be the active and energetic “Stormin’ Norman” we loved, admired, or sometimes found to be really, really annoying.    He was ready to be with Debbie again and he was ready for Jesus to take him home.  He received the body and blood of Jesus Christ at home on Friday afternoon and on Saturday evening he was in the presence of his Lord and Savior and his beloved Debbie Sue.    

 

Norman is preceded in death by his father and mother Maurice (M.G.) and Dorothy Adams, his brother Don Adams and wife Francis, and Norman’s beloved wife of 58 years, Debbie Sue.  Norman is survived by his daughter Tracy and husband Mark Dacus, his son Andrew Adams and wife Amy and their children, “Pappy’s” grandchildren, Isabella Adams, Benjamin Adams, Samuel Adams, and Livia Adams, Norman’s sister Shirley and husband Bo Roddenberry, his brother-in-law Bill Sherrill and wife Pat and his sister-in-law Wendy Carter, and many nephews, nieces and cousins as well as a great host of church family, business associates, and friends who loved and respected him.   

 

“Lord, now you are letting Your servant depart in peace according to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all people; a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people, Israel.”  Luke 2:29-32 

 

A Service of Thanksgiving and Remembrance For Norman E. Adams will be held on Saturday, August 22nd at 2:00 PM at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 5000 W. Tidwell Rd., Houston, Texas 77091. 

 

Immediately following the service, refreshments will be served and the family will be available for visitation in the cafeteria of Our Savior Lutheran School.  The family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Forward Faithfully Building Fund of Our Savior Lutheran Church.