Norman Frederick Miller
Norman Frederick Miller died on August 17, 2021 in Clear Lake, Texas at the age of 64. Norm was born on January 6, 1957 to Betty and Norman E. Miller in Chicago, Illinois. He had a happy childhood with his two older sisters, Roxanne and Bettina, and one younger sister, Gina.
Growing up, Norm was a vibrant, quick-witted, fun-loving brother, and very close to his siblings. Neighborhood friends were like family, as well.
As a teenager, Norm was a talented musician, teaching himself to play guitar, bass, and drums. He was also interested in cars, and was very proud of his first one – a 1968 Plymouth Barracuda that he kept his whole life. After graduating from Luther High School South in 1975 he studied automotive technology at the MoTech automotive educational center in Detroit.
In the 1980s, the whole Miller family moved to Houston, where Norm helped run the family restaurant for a few years. In his spare time, he worked on cars and played bass in a band called the Mechanix. He became a father to two daughters, his “sweet potato” Sherri in 1984 and his “sugar lump” Jenn in 1986. One of Norm’s favorite memories was Sherri and Jenn taking turns giving him kisses through the window of his Barracuda before he left for work. Norm was a warm and loving father, always there when his daughters needed him.
Norm had a long career in the transportation industry, working at UPS, Discount Tire, and finally LKQ, where he won numerous awards as the top salesman. He was a devoted Christian and a well-loved member of the congregation at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Friendswood, TX where he sang in the church choir. In his later years, Norm returned to his love of music, playing bass and singing in numerous bands, including a revival of the original Mechanix, the Dogz, and Three Spot.
It was while playing a show with his band that Norm met his beloved wife, Lori. They fell in love and married in a beautiful ceremony surrounded by family and friends on March 25, 2017. Norm and Lori enjoyed playing music together, going to shows, and traveling. They adopted three dachshunds – Douie, Dillon, and Frankie – whose companionship they greatly enjoyed.
Norm will be remembered as a capable, strong, fun-loving father who could fix anything, a brother who was affectionately called Stormin’ Norman, very passionate, loving, and who gave the best hugs, a caring uncle with an endearingly corny sense of humor, a loyal friend and bandmate who was full of energy, and a doting husband who cherished his dear Lori and loved sharing life with her. Norm was preceded in death by his parents, Norman and Betty, and his sister, Roxanne. He is survived by his wife, Lori, daughters, Sherri and Jenn, sisters, Bettina and Gina, brothers-in-law, Don, Dave, Albert, and Joe, sister-in-law, Julie, and many nieces and nephews and their children.
On September, 20, 2021 the Families of Norman and Lori will greet guests from 10 am to 11 am followed by a Memorial Service for both Norman and Lori at 11am at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 18220 Upper Bay Rd., Nassau Bay, TX 77058
Sherri, Jenn and family, we are so saddened by the loss of our friend, Norm. I met Norm when I worked at Western Sizzlin in Clear Lake in 1979. His endearing personality and sense of humor left such a positive impression on myself and so many others who met him. Please accept my sincerest condolences and prayers upon the loss of our friend and brother, Norm.
We know that Norm and his beloved wife Lori are at home prepared for them by our Heavenly Father. May they Rest In Peace now. They will be missed!
Roger & Nancy VonDeylen. August 25, 2021
I first met Norm in the early 1980s he was with a band Axis at Brown Sugar across the parking lot from my business, and then worked with him from the very beginning of the band Mechanix which he played bass, then the revival of the original Mechanix, and the band Dogz. Norm helped me with many of my sound productions for many years and even though we were not always on the same page when it came to sound equipment, setup, and productions, it did not affect our friendship, we remained friends for many years, including up to Sunday the 15th at 9:03am when I returned my final text to him. I said, “It’s Sunday 15th, a good day for Lori to get out of the woods.” In the prior week of texting, he only texted about himself once, about rehab, it was mostly about Lori’s condition and her need to get well enough awaiting her procedure. He loved her so much and was caring about her to the end.
I am so sorry about the loss of Norm; he will be missed.
That is such a great tribute to Norm and love the picture! I was with Lori the night she met him. We started out at TBone Tom’s listening to a band, but she knew he would be playing with the Mechanix at a club in Friendswood and asked if I wanted to go there and hear them. I think she fell for him the minute she layed eyes on him and was smitten from that moment on! I enjoyed hanging out with them listening to their band or going to concerts together. They touched a lot of lives and will both be missed by many!
I am shocked by the tragedy of the loss of this fine man and his wife. He was a friend and we saw each other on occasion when there was live music in the area. He was soft spoken and very honorable. My deepest sympathy and condolences to the family and loved ones.
Rest in peace Norm, so shocked about this, dealt with him for many many years at LKQ, you were my favorite salesman. We cracked me up everytime. My condolences to the family. What an awesome person you were.
I am sadden by the lost of a great friend and human being. Norm has been my good friend for over 20 years. He has a great personality and a good heart. I have know norm when Greenleaf was still in business before LKQ corp bought them out. He love playing music and his band. He alway bragging about playing on the weekend and invite me to come. I wish that I I could see him the last time. I miss my friend and may he rest in peace in Heaven. God Bless you my friend.
Sherri and Jenn, We are so sorry for your loss. We loved your dad. He was a great friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May he and Lori rest in peace in their Heavenly home.
So sorry for the loss of my cousin, Norman and his sweet wife, Lori. They were two wonderful, cherished, and much loved Christian family members who were called from this life far too soon. So glad that we had reconnected and communicated in Feb 2019 via FB. It was so wonderful hearing from him and learning of his great love for his wife, Lori. My condolences to his daughters and sisters and the entire Miller family.