James Douglas Norcross of Laurel, and a longtime resident of Grandin, Missouri, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. He was born Jan. 8, 1951 in Erie, Pa., a son of the late Eugene and Clora (Griffin) Norcross.

In his younger days he learned to cook at the Hershey’s Boys Home, where he trained to prepare meals for large groups of people. His love for cooking carried over into his adulthood, where he had a reputation for feeding his family and friends well, no matter how many were at the table. James was a talented and industrious worker who could fix anything. He owned several businesses throughout his lifetime and never shied away from solving a problem. He was a gifted welder, electrician, plumber and auto mechanic, amongst his many other talents. He also loved working with plants and got much satisfaction from planting and growing flowers and trees.

Once moving to Laurel, he was a trusted and dependable employee of Yoder Overhead Doors and in his free time, loved helping at his grandson’s butcher shop in Delmar. Those that knew James remember him as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother whose life dramatically changed over 20 years ago when he became a Christian. He was an active member of Salisbury Mennonite Church in Delmar.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Debbie (Piatt) Norcross; daughter, Linda Porter and husband, Michael; their daughter Kayla and her husband, Allen, and their children, Jesse, Lucas, Connor, Kelsey and Jacob; daughter, Teresa Beiler and husband, Tom; and their children, Travis (Diana), Justin, Daniel and Veronica; a great granddaughter, Arianna; sisters, Pat Yocky and Pamula Lyons; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by infant granddaughter, Lindsey Marie Winter; and brothers, Bill Ringo, Eugene Edwin Norcross and Robert Norcross.

A visitation for family and friends will be held on Sunday, Oct. 17 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Salisbury Mennonite Church on Pepperbox Road in Delmar. Funeral services will be held at the church on Monday, Oct. 18 at 10 a.m. Interment in Salisbury Mennonite Cemetery will follow.

Arrangements are in the care of Short Funeral Home in Delmar. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.shortfh.com.