Beloved husband father brother and friend Richard Donald Norman age 67 of Abilene Texas passed away on Monday January 28 2013 at a local hospital after a brief illness. He was born in Wheeler Texas in 1945 to Myrle and Irene Norman the older of twin boys. Richard and his wife Paige were married in July 1980 and brought together their families made up of Richard's three children and Paige's two daughters. Richard was a man of strength integrity and honesty. He had a variety of hobbies from classic cars to his latest interest in welding. Richard was tremendously loyal and an exemplary person. When we were broken down on the road many miles from home he was there. When we needed help with a move he was there. When we needed support he was there. When we just needed someone to talk with he was always there always listened and was always thoughtful and caring. He was this way with everyone not just family. He was a rock of stability for everyone who knew him. Folks knew he could be counted on. When he said he would do something he did it and he wouldn't hesitate to help anyone in need. He firmly believed that he was in a position to help others and he never hesitated to lend a hand physically or financially... not only family and friends but friends of friends or even total strangers.Richard enjoyed talking about his family and his good fortune to have them. It wasn't just luck. He was the best possible role model of what a father should be. There is an empty place in our hearts now and he will be greatly missed by those whose lives he touched. Richard graduated from McLean High School in McLean Texas. He was an insurance agent for Sentry Insurance in Abilene for almost 25 years and went on many leadership trips before he retired in 2000. Richard was a veteran of the United States Army serving in Vietnam and again during Operation Desert Storm. By his retirement from the Army Reserve in 2000 he had worked his way up to the rank of a "Full-Bird"Colonel. Survivors include his devoted wife Paige; daughter Elizabeth Worley and her husband Doug; daughter Rebecca Dillen and her husband Wayne of Wimberley TX; daughter Amy Temperley and her husband Damien of Austin TX; son William Norman; daughter Jennifer Avrett of Fort Worth TX;granddaughters Vivian and Lydia Dillen; step-grandchildren Austin Worley and Lacey Worley and husband Moses Gonzales; step-greatgrandchild Moses Damian Gonzales; his fraternal twin brother Robert Norman and wife Carolyn of Reno NV; aunt Margaret Martin of Blair OK; several cousins; and many remarkable individuals that meant the world to him. Richard was preceded in death by his parents and younger brother Ky Norman. A memorial service will be held Friday February 1 2013 at 2pm at North's Funeral Home 242 Orange St. Abilene TX officiated by Pastor Oran Rake. Visitation will be Thursday evening January 31 2013 from 5pm-7pm at the funeral home. A graveside service and interment will take place in McLean TX on Saturday February 2 2013 at 3pm. Memorial donations may be made to Cal Farley's Boys Ranch and Girls Town. P.O. Box 1890 Amarillo TX 79174-0001 800- 687-3722 806-372-2341 www.calfarleys.org The family thanks those who have prayed showed concern visited and supported the family during Richard's life and his time in the hospital. Online condolences may be made at www.northsfuneralhome.com.