David Ernest Norris, 87 of Danville, passed away on May 12, 2026. He was born on July 19, 1938 in Indianapolis to the late Lula May (Harbin) and Ernest James Norris. David married Judith Cleo McIlvain on November 20, 1959 in Indianapolis. They remained married for 66 years. David grew up very poor on the west side of Indianapolis. He dropped out of high school in the ninth grade to work. He left home to join the Navy on his 17th birthday. He thought he was living the high life; eating three meals a day, having a warm bed, clean sheets, and clean towels. He studied hard and earned what would be equivalent to a GED. He was awarded his high school diploma from Ben Davis High School. David spent the next 20 years serving our country. One of the many things he did while in the Navy was being a hydraulics man on the F-14 fighter jet. He took his family all over the United States and Cuba while in the Navy. He retired as a Senior Chief. Senior Chief is the highest level one could reach as an enlisted Naval serviceman. After he retired from the Navy, he used his smarts, strong work ethic, and stone cold determination to build a new life for his family. He went to Clark College earning an associates degree in Management. He was president of many companies through out his career. With his children grown, he again lived all over the United States. He retired in 1997, at the age of 59, as President of Tenneco in Ohio. Wherever work took him through out his life, he was most proud of his time in the Navy. After this retirement, he returned home to Indiana, and built not only a new home, but a blessed life with his beloved wife Judy by his side. All his family lived close, so he got to watch his daughters families grow. At his home, in what his son in law Greg liked to call “the big house”, he spent countless summers swimming and barbecuing with the family. He also enjoyed all the holidays, birthdays, and countless other celebrations at this house surrounded by his family that he loved fiercely. David enjoyed gardening, especially tending to his beloved roses and orange day lilies. He was an avid model train conductor and collector. He built an entire room with nothing but trains, train tracks, and train villages. He often wore his conductors hat, while making this room a sight to see. When running these trains you could see him with a smile that made his beautiful blue eyes sparkle. He loved to travel. David and Judy traveled around the world. David was brave, fierce, strong, smart, soft hearted, and a smart aleck. He loved with all his heart. His love was unconditional. He gave willingly and freely to those he loved. David loved his country. He was the American dream. Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Judith Norris of Brownsburg; daughters, Beverly Brewer (Kevin), Donna Fellows (Greg), both of Danville; sister, Laverne Norris of Indianapolis; 4 grandchildren, Abbie Chaffin (Matt), Sam Brewer, Adam Cross (Crisstii), Bryce Schwersenska (Reagan); 3 great grandchildren, Angelina, Collin and Ashlynne; 1 great great grandchild, Madelyn. David was preceded in death by his parents; and 4 siblings, Evelyn Coakley, Betty Webb, June Thomas and James Norris. Funeral Services will be at 2:30 pm on Friday, May 15, 2026 in Baker Funeral Home, Danville, with burial to follow at Danville South Cemetery. Visitation will be from 12:30 pm until the service time in the funeral home. Online condolences may be made at www.bakerfuneralservice.com