Norman Backues

1935 - 2016

Norman Backues

Norman Dean Backues, 80, of Dallas, Texas born July 1, 1935, in Belle, Mo., passed away Tuesday, May 3, 2016, at Baylor Scott and White Hospital in Carrollton, Texas.

Norm graduated in 1953 from Belle High School. He attended the University of Missouri-Columbia, and was a graduate of The Graduate School of Banking in Madison, Wisconsin class of 1967. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1957 and spent much of his time in Beiruit, Lebanon. He was awarded the Soldier's Medal prior to his honorable discharge in July 1959.

Norm was preceded in death by his parents, Rainey Lee and Sopha, nee Shanks, Backues; a sister, Edith Scronce of O'Fallon, Mo.; and a nephew, Terry Lee Scronce.

Norm is survived by his beloved wife, Eva Sharol, nee Woolsey, Backues, with whom he celebrated 56 years of marriage on Oct. 23, 2015. Norm and Eva Sharol spent many wonderful years raising their family in Belleville, Ill., and later enjoyed their retirement years in Dallas, Texas.

Norm is also survived by a son, Lyndell "Lindy" Backues and daughter-in-law, Donna of Philadelphia, Pa.; two daughters, Michelle, nee Backues, Matthews and son-in-law, Truitt of Dallas, Texas, and Angie Backues-Petersen and son-in-law, Raphael Freeman of Philadelphia, Pa. Norm was "Papa" to his eight grandchildren, Aubrey Backues and Rainey Backues of Philadelphia, Pa., Meredith, nee Matthews, Burns and her husband, Justin of Ft. Worth, Texas, Wil Matthews and Layne Matthews of Dallas, Texas, and Sadie Petersen, Ella Petersen and Micaiah Backues-Freeman of Philadelphia, Pa. He leaves behind his dear brother, Jared "Jerry" Backues of St. Louis, Mo.; a brother-in-law, Earl Scronce of O'Fallon, Mo.; numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews, and his dearest lifelong friends.

Norm's lifelong involvement in banking can be attributed to his parents who started a bank in Belle, Mo. Norm began his banking career in 1959 with the Mercantile Commerce National Bank in Midtown, St. Louis, Mo. In 1962 he joined the Edgemont Bank and Trust in East St. Louis, Ill., as assistant cashier in charge of bank operations. He advanced rapidly and was soon promoted to cashier and named a director of the bank. He was later named president of BancServices, Inc. which was the auditing division serving the 5 MidAmerica Banks. In 1971, Norm assisted in the formation of the Metropolitan Bank in Alton and was named president and member of the board of the newly formed bank. Norm also negotiated the purchase and eventual merger of the Carbondale National Bank into what was later to be known as the MidAmerica Banking group.

In 1984 Norm's vision of seeing a desperate need for quality bank auditing for community banks prompted him to form his own bank auditing company, Norman Backues and Associates, Inc. (NBA, INC.). That firm quickly gained state wide recognition for providing outstanding bank audits and consulting services. In 2000, when Norm retired as the founder and president of NBA, Inc. the company had served approximately 130 community banks, ranging in asset size from $2.9 million to $7 billion by providing internal audits, compliance audits, and management services. The company's client base was located in Illinois and six other states plus Washington, D.C.

Anyone acquainted with Norm knew of his tireless devotion to his wife, his family, and to his community. As chairman of the 1977-78 United Way Campaign of Greater St. Clair County, Norm spearheaded a drive that raised a record $635,000. In addition to the United Way, he served his community as a member of The West End Rotary Club, Belleville, Ill. He also served as president of the Wolf Branch school board, and as president of the Bi-County YMCA where he also served as fund raising chairman for two years.

Even into his retirement years, Norm enjoyed staying active. For years he was an avid racquetball player, and besides daily jogging and walking, his favorite past time was cycling. Norm was also an avid water skier and loved boating with his family and friends. He will be also be remembered for his unmatched devotion to the baseball Cardinals.

In the last two years, Norm fought bravely against dementia, a disease that would take him from those who loved him dearly. To his family and friends, Norm leaves a powerful legacy of love, integrity, and commitment to his family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Dementia Society of America, P.O. Box 600, Doylestown, Pa. 18901.

Funeral: A private graveside service at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Mo., will be followed by a memorial service open to the public at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 28, 2016, at St. Matthew United Methodist Church, 1200 Moreland Dr., Belleville, Ill.