Norman Clinton Woods, a 49-year resident of Pacific Palisades, passed away on Nov. 12 at the age of 91. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 16, at 2 p.m. at the Pacific Palisades Community United Methodist Church.
Norm was born and raised in Springfield, Illinois. After serving on the USS Kershaw in the South Pacific during World War II, he earned a degree in architecture from the University of Illinois. With great spirit of adventure, Norm and his best friend Jim Ardern headed west, where Norm found work as an architectural draftsman. He fell in love with his landlord’s daughter, Joanne, and they married in 1959.
Norm and Joanne settled in Pacific Palisades, where they raised two children and were active members of the Methodist Church. In addition to his work as an architect, Norm was a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge and enjoyed activities of the American Legion. After retiring, Norm shared his handyman skills with the community while working for many years at Norris Hardware. They moved from their Palisades home to Ventura a few years ago.
Norm and Joanne loved to travel, and with the kids, enjoyed numerous camping trips across the state and the country.
After the kids were grown, Norm and Joanne took to the waters, enjoying cruises, including the Rhine River, Alaska, Hawaii, the Mediterranean and the Panama Canal. Norm had always wanted to cruise down the Mississippi River, and he and Joanne boarded the sternwheeler for their 18th cruise together last month in Minnesota. He thoroughly enjoyed the trip, taking in all the city tours, but only made it as far as Memphis before becoming ill. Joanne was by his side as he peacefully passed away.
Norm is survived by his wife, Joanne; his children, Don Woods and Debbie Keennon; his grandchildren, Dustin Chase-Woods, Rebecca Chase-Woods, Dylan Chase-Woods, Kandi Fleming and Douglas Keennon; and his great-grandchildren, Grayson Fleming and Jensen Fleming.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Norm’s memory can be made to the American Red Cross.
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