Norman E. Pully, 67, passed away on Wednesday, October 14, 2009, in Fort Payne, Alabama, while on vacation. He was born on November 12, 1941 in Petersburg, Virginia. Norman served in the
U.S. Navy for 22 years, retiring in 1980 as a Chief Boatswain Mate. Among medals and awards he received during that time were the RVN Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, the National Defense Medal, the Navy Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Campaign and Service Medals, the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. He also had received a Navy Letter of Commendation in 1977. Norman later served as a firefighter with the Yuma Proving Ground Fire Department, worked at the YPG Commissary and Naval Air Facility, El Centro, and retired in 2008 from Customs and Border Protection at the San Luis Port of Entry. He also had worked for the Arizona Department of Agriculture, Bard Water District, Yuma Regional Medical Center and Fry's Foods. Norman obtained Associates Degrees in Fire Science, Animal Science, and Plant Science from Arizona Western College. During his 39 years in the Yuma community, Norman was an active participant in several organizations, including Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Southwest Bowhunters, Yuma Jaycees, Arizona Rangers, American Legion Post 56 and the International Association of Firefighters. He also was the founding President for the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 835. The "omery ol' man's" favorite early morning pastime in recent years was meeting friends for coffee at local restaurants. Norman is survived by his wife of 49 years, Anita of Yuma; daughter's, Theresa Bucsko of Yuma, Norma (Kenny) Dameron of Waynesboro, Virginia, and Laura Pully of Snyder, Texas; grandchildren, Michelle (Justin) Collum of Glendale, Arizona, and
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Corporal Keith Dameron and Michelle Dameron of Waynesboro, Virginia; great-granddaughters, Taeler Collum of Glendale, and Alicia Clatterbaugh of Waynesboro; sister, Lorena (Sherman) Davis of Fayettville, North Carolina; brother, Benjamin (Nancy) Pully; and two step-sisters, two half-sisters, and three half-brothers. Norman was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin O. Pully and Alma Elizabeth Childress; step-mother, Elizabeth "Nanny" Pully; brothers, John and Eugene; and a step-brother, Charles Nuckols. A visitation will be held at Johnson Mortuary on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Johnson Mortuary on Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. Officiating will be Pastor John McMurran of Stone Ridge Church. Friends of the family are invited to a celebration of life luncheon at the Yuma Jaycees Clubhouse following the funeral service. Please sign the guestbook at
www.yumasun.com/obituaries.
Guestbook