A viewing and service will be held December 28th, 2024, beginning at 10am at St. Stephen’s Cathedral COGIC. Arrangements entrusted to Preferred Cremation and Burial. ************************************************************************Michael Henra Norris was born on March 23, 1947, in San Diego, California, to John Wesley Norris and Mary Lee Williams-Wright. Mary Lee Wright married Charles Wright, who raised him. Mike would often say, “Johnny is my father, but Charlie was my daddy.”
Mike attended Logan Elementary, Memorial Junior High, and Gompers Junior High School in San Diego. He graduated from Snyder Continuation High School and later attended Laney College, majoring in Photography.
A lifelong learner, Mike read daily and pursued various artistic endeavors. He was a poet, writer, artist, sculptor, jewelry designer, and master photographer for over 50 years. As a photojournalist, he worked for publications such as the Portland Scanner, The Oregonian Newspaper, Voice & Viewpoint as lead photographer, and his very own Imageseed Photography. Mike loved attending the OG Sandbox Annual Cookout where he documented lifelong photos for family and friends.
Mike believed in the concept of being “100 Strong”, striving to be the best in all things. He also founded the Mike Norris Legacy Legends Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of his artistic photography and the legacy of other notable figures. Mike’s final artistic triumph came when his photographic art was selected for permanent display at the San Diego County Southeast LiveWell Center. His images now adorn a 20-foot wall, depicting the history of the Tubman-Chavez Center and the LiveWell Center’s construction-one of his greatest contributions to the San Diego community.
Known affectionately as “Uncle Mike” and Pops,” Mike’s large family ensured that he was a familiar face throughout San Diego. It was impossible to walk around the city without running into someone related to him. A man of God, Mike lived a deeply spiritual life, which influenced his art and his relationships with others. His faith was a guiding force throughout his life.
On November 27, 2024, Mike went home to be with the Lord.
He was preceded in death by his parents; Johnny W. Norris and Mary Lee Wright, Stepfather Charlie Wright, Son Andre Michael Norris, brothers; William, Steve, and Randy Norris, and Eulis Wright, sister Justine Wright, and granddaughter Tamika Norris.
He leaves to mourn his death 5 daughters and three sons; Sharvella S. Norris-San Diego, CA, Michael D. Norris (Ryoko)-Okinawa, Japan, Levette Ross-Orlando, FL, Michael Castleberry (Nina)-Atlanta, Angela Wells-Davidson, Tyrese Baker, Miko Banks (Damon), and Mika Hunt (Jeffrey)-Sacramento, CA, brother Charles Norris-San Diego, CA, John Norris Jr.-Las Vegas NV, sisters; Diane (Pedro) Bordenave-Rialto, CA, Edith Minor-Las Vegas, NV, Clotte Wright, Debbie Wright, Reishone Foster, and Charlene Wight-San Diego, CA, Pam Williams and Patrice Norris-Memphis, TN, and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.
