David Allen Norris was born to Ralph and Ruth (Ellis) Norris on July 11, 1931, in Greeley, Colorado. He went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on May 28, 2025, at home surrounded by his loving family. The funeral service will be at Berean Baptist Church, Pella, Iowa, at 11:00, on Saturday, May 31, with visitation one hour prior to the service. A private family burial will follow.

When David was a toddler, his family moved to Iowa. His father, Ralph, was the Warren County School Superintendent in Indianola for nine years, and then he became the Polk County School Superintendent in Des Moines for over 25 years. At seven years old, David placed his trust in Jesus Christ as his Savior at Middle River Friends Church in Carlisle, Iowa, through the ministry of a traveling evangelist, John Carrara. As a boy, David would regularly listen to the "Heaven and Home Hour" on the radio while milking cows in his grandparents' barn. David graduated from Des Moines Technical High School, class of 1950. During high school and following graduation, David farmed at his grandparents' family farm in Carlisle.

On November 3, 1951, David married Carlene Johnson, his high school sweetheart (they met when they were 14 and 12 years old, as neighbors) at Union Park Methodist Church in Des Moines. Three months later he was drafted into the Korean War. David was stationed in Kansas, Virginia, and Texas. He did not see active combat, but served as a dental assistant.

In 1954, following his honorable discharge, David and Carlene moved to Ames, Iowa, where David attended Iowa State College (now University), majoring in agronomy. He was chosen to be a member of the Alpha Zeta honorary fraternity. They enjoyed their years living in Pammel Court (married student housing) where they made lifelong friends and participated in Bible studies with other young married couples.

After David's graduation in 1957, David and Carlene stayed in Ames and founded Ames Real Estate and Insurance Center, located at 6th and Grand. God blessed them with three daughters – Susan, Sharon and Sara. They were active members at Campus Baptist Church in Ames for 43 years; Berean Baptist Church in Boone for 25 years; and at the time of his death, David was a member at Berean Baptist Church in Pella. Throughout his life he served in many capacities in his local church, such as Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School teacher, Bible study leader and Deacon.

David was passionate about the Biblical principles upon which America is founded and he fought tirelessly to promote these especially in the realm of public education. David was president of the Heartland Foundation and wrote several books and booklets about the preservation of American historical foundations, biblical values for the family, as well as the harmonious function of the local church. He spoke at various churches around the country on these topics. He was awarded "Man of the Year 2004" by Women for Constitutional Government.

David and Carlene went on many adventures together, traveling to all 50 states and several foreign countries. During retirement, they had a second home in Washington state for sixteen years. David was honored to participate in a Story County Freedom Flight tour to Washington, D.C. in 2015. He was an active member of Gideon's International, Christian Business Men's Association, Iowa State Memorial Union and Iowa State Alumni Association as well as the Iowa State History Society. He also served as president of the Ames Board of Realtors.

After 68 wonderful years in Ames, in January of 2022, David and Carlene moved to Pella, Iowa. David is survived by his three daughters, Susan, Sharon (Bruce), and Sara (Tim), 14 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by Carlene, his wife of 71 years; his son-in-law, David Wymer; his grandson, Benjamin Carl Thompson; and his great-granddaughter, Eloise Rose Thompson.

A special thank you to our wonderful hospice nurses, Tammatha Gibson and Kristal McGonigle.

Iowa Regular Baptist Camp
PO Box 80, Ventura IA 50482

Faith Baptist Bible College
1900 NW Fourth St, Ankeny IA 50023

Gideons International
PO Box 161, Pella IA 50219