Norman Clyde Morehead

Norman C. Morehead’s life was marked by both significant challenges and happiness. He was born August 20, 1953 in Noblesville, Indiana.  He passed away September 17, 2023, during a vacation in Miramar Beach, Florida. He recently celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary and reached the milestone of his 70th birthday.

Norman completed his elementary and high school education in Noblesville, and later earned a degree in geology from Indiana University, which turned into a lifelong hobby. He met Janet Schofield at IU and, in a mere 11 months, on August 18, 1973, they joyfully united in marriage.

Norman had a varied career, beginning as an elephant trainer at the old Indianapolis Zoo in Washington Park. He welcomed the orphaned baby elephant Kubwa, who slept with her head on his lap at night. Over the years when Norman visited the current zoo, Kubwa would come to him. Norman then worked for a short time as a real estate agent. He followed this by returning to IU to obtain his CPA and eventually became a partner with London and Witte and Company, from which he retired.

Norman was an avid traveler throughout his life. He studied geology in Montana while in college and he had a particular fondness for vacationing in the western states. Janet and Norman were enthusiastic hikers, campers, RVers, and they visited over 30 national parks. Eventually, they explored all seven continents and all fifty states.

Norman loved movies, cigars, crossword puzzles, Scottish Terriers, and Grand Teton National Park. He was an exceptional family man, organizing vacations for his children and grandchildren, having weekly family fun nights, celebrating birthdays, and enjoying holidays. Known to his family and friends for his remarkable ability to remember things, he was a whiz at Jeopardy and knew all of the details in his collection of over 2,000 movies.

Shortly after celebrating his 50th birthday, he faced a series of medical challenges, which included enduring four strokes. Throughout all of this he displayed unwavering determination, maintained an exercise routine, and embarked on extensive travels (always wearing his “Grumpy Old Man” t-shirt at airports).

Having recently returned from an Icelandic adventure, he experienced a tragic fall while in their condo in Florida and subsequently passed away following emergency surgery.

Norman was preceded in death by infant daughter Courtney and his parents, Arnold C. Morehead and Ruth Daubenspeck Morehead. He is survived by his loving wife Janet Schofield Morehead, his brother Gary Morehead, sister Brenda Morehead Thomas, daughter Ashley (Jake) Kohlbacher and her children Maddox Seymour and Vivian Kohlbacher, and daughter Hayley (Geoffrey) Edwards and her children Savanna, Aryauna, Paislee, Harloe, Gaige, Deezle, Oaklee, and Capree.

A Visitation will be on Saturday, November 4, from 12 noon to 2 pm, at Flanner Buchanan – Broad Ripple, 1305 Broad Ripple Avenue. A Graveside Service will follow at Crown Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Indianapolis Zoo or a charity of one’s choice.