James Tyrone "Tee" "Tidewater Laughing Wolf" Norwood

Former Chief of the Nanticoke Indian Tribe
October 23, 1941 - October 22, 2010
After a short, but courageous battle with osteo-sarcoma, a rare bone cancer, Tee passed quietly at home surrounded by family and friends.
Tee is survived by Jean, his wife of 42 years. He is also survived by his mother, Janie B. Norwood; his three sisters, Janice B. Davis, Marlene A. Pritchett, and Leolga T. Wright (Dallas), mother-in-law Jean B. Johnson, all of Millsboro, DE, three brothers-in-law, E. Duane Johnson (Doris) of Millsboro, DE, Everett A. Johnson, Jr. (Ivy) of Germantown, MD, and Elmer C. Johnson, of Louisville, KY, a special brother and friend, Bobby Norwood, and friend Ragghi, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other family and friends.
Tee was preceded by his father, Richard L. Norwood in 1996, sister, Vianna I. "Sweetie" Mosley in 1983, and brother, Frederick L. "Bozzie" Norwood in 2010.
Tee grew up and became a member of Indian Mission UMC. He served as Administrative Council Chairperson and Trustee.
Tee attended Warwick School 225, Millsboro, DE for 6 years. He attended and graduated from Nanticoke Indian Elementary School, Millsboro, DE, and William C. Jason High School, Georgetown, DE, Class of 1959. Tee learned auto mechanics while attending school, and found his first job working, as an auto mechanic for H. C. Burton, Jr. Trucking Company in Millsboro, DE for several years.
Tee was drafted into the US Army December 1963, and sent to Fort Jackson, South Carolina for basic training. Tee was discharged October 1965 from 549 MP Company at the Panama Canal Zone, Fort Davis.
Tee found his princess, Jean A. Johnson. They united in holy matrimony on January 13, 1968, at Indian Mission Methodist Church, Millsboro, Delaware.
"Tidewater Laughing Wolf" was a devoted member of the Nanticoke Indian Association. He was an elected Chief of the Nanticoke Tribe from June 2002 to July 2008. He loved and supported the eldest to the youngest. With dignity Chief Tee committed his whole heart, soul, and body to serving his Nanticoke community. Under his leadership he was able to establish the spirit of unity with other tribes, renew a working relationship with the community, county, and state officials. Affiliations were established with various grant resources. The NIA Scholarship fund was established for the higher education of the Nanticoke young people. He encouraged, supported and accompanied the NDN Stix Chix (dance troupe). He was instrumental in overseeing the refurbishing of the Nanticoke Indian Center and improvements to the Nanticoke Indian Museum. He was able to obtain approval from the State of Delaware to transfer ownership of the Nanticoke Indian Center to the Nanticoke Tribe. Family Classes on the history, as well as, courses in the Nanticoke language were conducted under his tenure, with each participating family receiving an assortment of books on Eastern Native American History. In 2004 Tee was featured in the magazine "National Museum of the American Indian" as he celebrated the grand opening of the Museum in Washington, DC. He has also been featured in articles of local news media. In 2007 Chief Tee traveled extensively to celebrate and re-enact some of the activities that the Nanticoke experienced with Captain John Smith in 1608. A permanent obelisk was dedicated by Senator Tom Carper at Phillips Landing near Laurel, DE. His crowning achievement was helping acquire 16 acres of wooded land adjacent to the site where the tribe's powwow is held each year.
Tee was an employee at Collins & Ryan Gas Co. for 11 years in the stockroom of the Parts and Inventory Department. On occasion he drove the transport truck to Delaware City, DE, and Glassboro, NJ. November, 1971 Tee was employed by the Diamond State Telephone Company as an installer. The company later became Bell Atlantic and eventually Verizon. Tee drove his 1951 Chevrolet pickup "The Possum" to work the first day and his last day in September, 2001, when he retired after 30 years.
Tee became a member of the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company. He served as a President, Secretary, and Treasurer, at various times throughout his 40 years of volunteer service. On October 17, 2010 Tee was honored to become the first President Emeritus of the IRVFC.
Tee was a member of the American Motorcycle Association, the Delmarva H.O.G, and the Delmarva Retreads bikers clubs, the Tuckahoe Steam and Gas Association, the Eastern Shore Threshermen Association, the First State Tractors Association, the VFW 10638, and the American Legion Post 28.
Among many things Tee enjoyed life and people, which included family, friends and community. He met no strangers. Along with his bib overalls, Tee always wore a smile and a cheery "Hello". Tee's hobbies were riding his Harley, traveling on vacation and to Powwows in his motor home. He grew up farming and continued until June, 2010. He planted his garden, and plowed friends and neighbor's gardens.
Services will be held as follows: On Friday October 29, 2010 the formal Viewing 6-9 pm, at Watson Funeral Home, 211 Washington Street, Millsboro, DE 19966. However the funeral home will be open all day Friday, to receive those unable to attend in the evening. Saturday October 30, 2010. Viewing 12 nooon-1 pm. Service 1 pm, at Long Neck United Methodist Church, 32051 Long Neck Road, Millsboro, DE 19966.
In lieu of flowers, (per Tee's request) memorial donations may be made to the Nanticoke Indian Association Scholarship Fund, c/o Bonnie Hall, 27073 John J. Williams Highway, Millsboro, Delaware 19966.