J.H. "Doodle" Norman, 94, of Denton, died July 19, 2017 at his home in Denton surrounded by his entire family.
Doodle was born on August 21, 1922 in Aubrey to Steve Shipman Norman and Carrie Gertrude (Mack) Norman. He was married to Melba Jean Smith on May 4, 1947 in Krum; she passed away on August 13, 2010. He and Melba were members of Highland Baptist Church.
Doodle Norman was a man with an iron will and a soft heart. No matter where he would go, he never met a stranger. After he retired from years of driving trucks, repairing cars at Sears, and owning his own service station, he and Melba drove cars for local dealerships all over Texas and beyond. His favorite trip was to Colorado.
Doodle could repair anything, and was often found tinkering with whatever was around. Doodle loved to fish and camp, and took his grandkids with him as much as he could. His favorite thing to do while camping was to make a roaring campfire. He had a fire at camp no matter how cold or hot the temperature was outside. Doodle was quite the fish fry host, and he and Melba loved having friends over to enjoy his delicious fish. Doodle was also famous around Denton for his Christmas light ball ornaments he made by hand.  He started working on them every fall to prepare for the holiday season. He was even featured in an article in the Denton Record Chronicle for his festive lights. While Doodle may have been a man small in stature, the legacy he leaves us is larger than life.
Doodle is survived by his sons, Bill Norman and his wife Lura of Longview, Ron Norman of Denton, Jim Norman and his partner Steve Bush of Dallas, Jeff Norman and his wife Melissa of Argyle; grandchildren, Nikki Briscoe, Tonya Sanders and her husband Andy, Cory Norman and his wife Shannon, Nick Norman, Jacob Norman, Brooke Norman, Noah Norman; great-grandchildren, Ethan Norman, Ryley Norman, Dylan Briscoe.
A visitation will be held from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Friday, July 21, 2017 at Mulkey-Bowles-Montgomery Funeral Home, 705 N. Locust St., Denton. The funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM July 22, 2017 at Highland Baptist Church, 600 Thomas St., Denton. Rev. Brandon McCarroll and Rev. Robert Richardson will officiate the service. Interment will follow at Jackson Cemetery, Krum.
Pallbearers will be: Franklin Atkinson, Charles Borth, John Fred Duncan, Henry Shoopman, Kenneth Harper, Paul Hamilton.