Norman Hugh Morray, Jr. was born May 5, 1949 in Emporia. He was the first child of Norman H. Morray, Sr. and Bonnie Sue (Colwell) Morray and was affectionately called Norm, Normie, or Stormie.
He grew up just north of No. 8 school house outside of Madison, KS and graduated with the class of 1967. He greatly enjoyed spending time with his mom working on his 4-H entomology project and attending auctions with his parents. During his high school years he enjoyed industrial arts projects and driving around in his 1938 Plymouth. He always laughed about the time he and some buddies laid the ’38 on its side one night but they righted it and away they went with no damage to the car and the old man never found out. He picked up the aggravating game of golf in high school and he and classmate Bobby Douglas became the ex-officio MHS golf team and competed well in tournaments.
Norm attended KSTC one year, worked at Anderson feed yard, read Emporia water meters, and eventually became a Farm Bureau Insurance agent. This led him to Hutchinson, KS in 1971, when he became an independent insurance agent. He sold insurance and played golf, or vice versa. He was a member of the hole in one club and was Prairie Dunes Club Champion in 1993. He loved entertaining family and friends at the ‘dunes’, his home away from home, just one block away.
But at the age of 68, Norm was struck down by a debilitating stroke. He managed as best he could with the help of dear friends, until such time he returned to Emporia to be closer to family. Normie’s last eight years have been very difficult for him. But now the difficulty is over. Norm died December 19 at Flint Hills CRC.
He was preceded in death by his parents and infant brother Paul. He is survived by sisters Carol (Morray) Banister, Tamie (Morray) Fleming and husband Don, brother Brian Morray and wife Jana, plus many loving nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. He will be missed but perhaps we will meet again at the 19th hole.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Carey Park Junior Golf Association and sent to The Course at Carey Park, 9 Emerson Loop E, Hutchinson, KS 67501. A gathering of friends and family will be held in Hutchinson at a later date.