Norman Elwood Jones(1956-2018)

                                                       Remembering Norman

         Norman was the brother I never had. We were kindred spirits. Norman, I think of you often.

      I can still remember the day Darlene introduced us. it was the Summer of 72'. We were both 16 and full of life. God, did we love adventure; going places and doing things. 

      Whether it was climbing the King and Queen Seat at Rocks State Park or doing road trips to Rock Run or to Conowingo Dam, it was "let's go." Once; Norman and I swam out to an island in the Chesapeake Bay, camped for the night and swam back the next day.

       Another occasion, we had a great time exploring the airplane graveyard at the Aberdeen Proving Ground. We climbed into aircraft after aircraft: bombers; fighters; transports and helicopters. They were all waiting to be scrapped. Today they would be considered museum displays that are not allowed to be touched. It was, as though we were reliving history. That was a good day. They're all gone now.

       We enjoyed taking walks to think things through, whether it was walking the Reeves property at Rocks or walking along the Pennsylvania Railroad tracks or where ever we could find a stretch to walk and talk. We'd discuss life, the future and the world.

       One of Norman's loves was engines and cars. He could explain how to tear down a 327 small block Chevy engine, how to bore it out, machine it and rebuild it into a more powerful engine. He could do this over a cheeseburger and fries and think nothing of it. Norman loved the Chevy Nova's and Chevelle's, especially the "SS" Super Sport models.

       As the years went by, Norman and I were separated by time and distance each making a life for himself. Norman and Darlene in Maryland and Malena and I in Texas. It went like that for many, many years.

     Eventually, I returned to Maryland for visits. Norman and I reconnected as though time had never happened. We were still kindred spirits, just much older.

     Not too long ago in January 2015, Norman and I did the Chesapeake Bay road trip. We circumnavigated the Chesapeake Bay in one day. There we were, in our late 50's ready to go. We started out in the dark at Aberdeen. By sunup we stood at the water's edge on Rehoboth Beach. It was cold, windy and rainy and we stood there gazing at the Atlantic Ocean.

     We then headed down the Eastern Shore all the way to Cape Charles. We crossed the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, stopping to eat lunch at the Chesapeake Grill Restaurant on one of the bridge's islands. We enjoyed crab cakes, salad and the view of the fisherman's pier overlooking the ocean.

       A short time later we were at Norfolk. Norman and I stopped and explored the U.S.S. Wisconsin, the World War Two battleship. Again, we were reliving history.

       The shadows were starting to grow long as the Sun was beginning to set. We departed for Richmond. After that, it was Washington, Baltimore and back to Aberdeen before midnight. That was the last time I saw Norman.

       We would have one last hurrah. As the 2015 year was closing and Christmas was approaching, I sent Norman a miniature bottle of "Maker's Mark" Kentucky bourbon whiskey. I also included a shot glass. I had an identical set up. I called him on Christmas Day and over the phone at the same time we toasted each other a "Merry Christmas".

       Norman and I took turns calling each other after that keeping up and reminiscing. Then life throws you a curveball when you least expect it. It took me by surprise at his passing. One of our last conversations was about us going camping in the Catskill or the Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York. I was lucky to know him. I will miss him.

       Life is short and there are no guarantees. Love your family and friends. Call or write someone.

       Richard Head

       September 24th, 2020