Norris Andrew Kurio

Norris Andrew Kurio Norris Andrew Kurio, 84, died December 12, 2006. He was born in Guthrie, Oklahoma, April 1, 1921, to Otto Gerhardt Kurio and Alma Schroeder Kurio. While still a babe in arms, he had the good sense to move to Austin, Texas. There he resided for 69 years. After graduating from Austin High, he attended The University of Texas at Austin until the Army Air Corp honored his voluntary enlistment to serve in World War II. Norris received pilot training and served in the China, Burma, India Theater. There he flew supplies to the Chinese in their efforts to repulse the Japanese invaders. Upon returning to the States, a certain gal set her cap for him. After chasing him for three years, he finally caught her. Norris and Mary Curl were married February 25, 1949. During this time, Norris completed his degree in electrical engineering and worked for the Lower Colorado River Authority. He went on to get a graduate degree in electrical engineering. Dow Chemical Company lured him to their Freeport, Texas plants and six years later transferred him to Plaquemine, Louisiana to design and start up a new chlorine plant. During this time, he and Mary started their family, and had three children, Kay, Nan and Mark. Norris longed to return to Austin. In 1966 he moved the family here and eventually became the Director of Physical Plant at UT Austin. He retired in 1985. Norris was a project man, a do it yourselfer. He enjoyed fixing things and acquired quite a collection of tools. These talents suffered when Alzheimer's disease moved in. Lymphoma ended his earthly life in a few months. Norris' body has been donated to LifeLegacy Foundation for medical research and education. He is survived by wife of 56 years, Mary, his three children, and daughter-in-law, Nancy K. Kurio, two grandsons, Andrew Kurio and Isaac Coffman, and his brother, Robert L. Kurio. A memorial service to celebrate his life is planned for January 4, 2006, at Northwest Hills United Methodist Church at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will follow in the Family Life Center. The family requests instead of flowers or cards, contributions be made to Hospice Austin, 4107 Spicewood Springs Road, Suite 100, Austin, TX 78759-8645 or the charity of your choice.