A Life Well Lived….

Norris V. McGilbray

(son, brother, cousin, friend, husband, father, grandfather)

Norris V. McGilbray was born December 22, 1944 to Timothy and Dovie Gray McGilbray in Parsons, KS.  The family moved to Wichita, KS in 1962.  In his early years, Norris grew up in Parsons, KS with his parents and siblings, it was a small- town life. However, Norris was always seeking more; more of which life could offer. He graduated from East High in 1963 in Wichita, KS. Norris loved sports. He participated in football, basketball, and lettered in track. However, as most of you know, his greatest love of all was music.

In his higher education and professional life, Norris attended Emporia State University; and that is where he met and married the love of his life, Cheryl Jones of Kansas City, KS. To this union yielded two children: Dr. Teresa (McGilbray) Wesley and Jamey McGilbray. Norris taught Industrial Arts at Allison Junior High School and Heights High School, where he also coached basketball and worked for 20 years in the Wichita Public School system.  Equally important in his life as his family and career, was his music, as he was a gifted organist and keyboard player that caused him to be a founding member of The Elegants . The band toured throughout Kansas and played at various venues and developed a wonderful following of those who loved to listen to soul and blues music. Additionally, Norris was honored to share his gift of music with various churches; church services; and programs where his talent and gift honored the glory of the Lord.

More valuable to him than any honor or accolade, were the lifelong friendships formed with his childhood friends, classmates, teammates and organizations that he belonged to. Through those interactions and experiences, and all those that he interacted with people became aware of what true friendship, brotherhood and being humanitarian meant.  A daily example of his love for people, is that Norris would make a priority to check on family and friends on a regular basis, to make sure those he loved were well and taking care of themselves and their families. Norris enjoyed fellowshipping with people, eating good food, and loved to host and throw great gatherings. At those events all attendees felt welcomed and at home. They had a great time, filled with laughter, plenty of food, and good music.

Norris served in many volunteer and leadership capacities throughout the years including the Fairmount Park and Recreation Center. He was a devoted member of the McAdams Tennis Association and a devoted member of the Emporia Connections that provided scholarships for students of color.

Norris was known and will be missed for his generous heart, honest concern for all he met, his laughter, hilarious jokes, and his legacy will live on in his soul mate and wife-Cheryl; his children, grandchildren and friends.

Preceding him in his death was his mother, Dovie Gray McGilbray,  father, Timothy McGilbray, brother, Cletus McGilbray; sister, Gayle McGilbray Jackson (Randy) brother-in-law; and mother and father in-law Ulysses Jones (Theria). He leaves to cherish his memories his beautiful loving wife, Cheryl McGilbray; devoted daughter, Dr. Teresa Wesley and wonderful son-in-law, Archie L. Wesley, Jr., talented grandson, Archie "Rock" Wesley, III. his namesake, son, Jamey Norris McGilbray, in which he loved to debate sports with, daughter-in-law, Vanessa McGilbray, and beautiful granddaughters' Ellie and Hollyn McGilbray also brother, Delvin McGilbray (Shirley); sisters-in-law: Margaret McGilbray, Donna Scott and Sue Speed along with  a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends whom he loved dearly.