Norris Earl Ward (The Colonel), 84, of Meridian, died May 31, 2009, at his home. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, June 4, 2009, at the Tully Park Ward, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1615 W. Second, Meridian. A visitation will begin at noon in the Relief Society Room prior to the service. Burial will be at 3 p.m. at Terrace Lawn Memorial Garden, Meridian. Arrangements are under the direction of Cloverdale Funeral Home.
Norris was born Nov. 3, 1924, in Yazoo City, Miss., a son of Edward Pierce and Mattie Elizabeth Ward. Norris joined the Marines at 17 and fought in the South Pacific during World War II. He married his sweetheart, Geraldine (Jeri) Salisbury, in Elko, Nev., in 1953. He joined the LDS Church in 1981 and their marriage was solemnized in 1982, in the Salt Lake City Temple.
They lived in the Sun Valley area until 1975. Norris was the superintendent of service in Sun Valley for 20 years, earning him the nickname of "The Colonel." He served on the City Council and was a volunteer fireman for the city of Ketchum. An avid sportsman, he was active in community softball, hunting, fly fishing, golf and bowling. He and Jeri owned and operated The Colonel's Pancake House, in Ketchum for eight years.
After leaving Ketchum, they helped a friend open an Elmer's in Lewiston, Idaho. They owned and operated a The PepperMill in Twin Falls, Idaho, and then The Colonel's Kitchen on Main Street. They moved to the Treasure Valley in 1984 and have enjoyed being a part of their community in Meridian for over 20 years.
Norris was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a member of the American Legion.
Norris is survived by his wife, Jeri; children Rickard Ward (Jane) of Puyallup, Wash., Sue Ann Calkins of Kuna, Scott Ward (Wendy) of Meridian; 15 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, one sister and his son-in-law.
Condolences for the family can be submitted online at www.cloverdalefuneralhome.com.
