Norman F. Evans, 60, SMSGT-Retired passed away at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, FL on October 16, 2021. He was born on September 11, 1961 in Miami, FL to Norman T. and Mary Evans. He joined the United States Air Force in 1985 and was a First Sergeant.
During his military career, he was awarded the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, AF Commendation Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, AF Achievement Medal, AF Outstanding Unit Award with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, AF Good Conduct Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense
Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Expeditionary Medal, AF Overseas Ribbon Short, AF Overseas Ribbon Long with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, AF Longevity Service with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, AF Training Ribbon, NCO Academy, USAF Senior NCO Academy, First Sergeant Academy.
Norm attended St. Brendan High School and graduated in May 1979. After graduating from high school he attended Miami-Dade Community College and in May 1982 he earned an Associates in Science Degree in Aviation and Allied Studies and an Associates in Arts Degree in Humanities.
Norm’s interest in the outdoors inspired him to obtain his SCUBA Diving certification and also log numerous jumps as a skydiver which earned him the nickname Stormin’ Norman. He obtained his Private Pilot and Advanced/lnstrument Ground Instructor Licenses from the FAA. He managed and taught aviation ground school at Burnside-Ott Aviation Training Center in Miami where he met his wife Amanda who was in flight school.
After enlisting in the United States Air Force he was assigned to the 62 AW at McChord AFB and served in numerous positions including Configurations Specialist, Dedicated Crew Chief and Flight Line Expeditor as SSGT he deployed to Zaragoza, Spain in support of Operations Desert Shield/Storm. TSGT Evans received orders to Andersen AFB, Guam in 1992 as Sortie Generation Flight Chief, then on to Kadena AB, Okinawa in 1996. He returned to the mainland in August 1999 and was assigned to Pope AFB, North Carolina as First Sergeant. Further assignments were at Lajes, AB, Terceira, Azores and Bolling AFB, D.C.
After retirement he pursued his passion for fishing and enjoyed boating in Tampa Bay. He was always interested in astronomy as a teenager and spent many nights staring at the heavens during his assignments overseas and well after his retirement in 2006, from his Tampa backyard. Norm has always been an avid reader, especially on US History, he decided to go back to school and obtain a Bachelors of Science in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle University on 10/31/2009. He began working again with the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles as a Compliance Examiner. He loved his job and considered his coworkers as his second family. He often talked about the many lunches and jokes they shared together and always looked forward to going to work.
Norm is survived by his wife Amanda, son Norman C., daughter Christiana; brothers Bruce and wife Karen, Mark Sr and wife Crystal, nephew Mark Jr and niece Sara. He was preceded in death by his parents, Norman T. Evans, Mary Hughes(formerly Evans) and beloved stepfather George Hughes.
You’re the best – always have been and always will be. Nothing can replace you.
To The Evans Family,
Norman was a truly amazing man. He left his mark on everyone that knew him. I see so much of him in his son especially in his dedication to military service, his honor and his love for his family. I see his sense of humor in both his children and I hope they remember his smile when they share stories of him. Mr. Evans was fiercely loyal to his family, his country and to his friends. I pray for your peace and comfort during this difficult time.
Norm will be missed more than word can express by his family at the Region VI office. He had a way about himself to make the whole office laugh with his humor. I will miss listening to him on the phone and his humor during rebuilt inspections. The office will never be the same. Rest In Peace my friend.
Norm was an excellent co-worker and friend. Norm’s sense of humor was contagious and his quick wit was uncanny. Norm had an old school work ethic and was dedicated to the mission. I’m really going to miss the political banter that occurred during lunch. I’m going to miss you my friend. God speed.
Norm had a way about him to make the office laugh. You never knew what he would come up with but it was truly going to make people laugh. He will be missed by his family at the Region VI office. He is one employee that can never be replaced. Rest In Peace my friend.
Norm will definitely be a void in our hearts and in the office. There was always a special air in Region 6 when Norm stepped through the doors. He blessed each and everyone of us and I am sure there are a lot of dealers that will be affected by his passing. He used the verbiage; “You are the wind beneath my wings” when I was able to assist him with some of his investigations. Guess that goes along with his love of aeronautics. Norm, my true down to earth friend and cubicle neighbor, now you are truly flying above us. Rest in heavenly peace.
Maybe gone from sight but never from our thoughts. May the laughter we have all shared with you keep you forever in our presence. Thank you for being you.
To me Norm was a funny, human dynamo. Always animated and almost always with a smile. :)
Norm was my older brother and my hero! He was a great man who loved his Family and his country. He always lived life to the fullest and was able to travel the world throughout his 21 years in the Air Force he later went on to work for the DMV as an investigator and loved his job because of the people that he worked along side with.
He loved fishing.football.soccer and F-1 racing. I will miss you my big brother! Love Mark
Norm was one of my best friends at St. Brendan High School 1976-1979.
We took the same classes, played on the same sports teams, served detention together :)
Mostly, we made each other laugh.
His life made the world a better place.
– John