Francis C Norris

Francis Ceal “Slick” Norris, 93, of Highlands, Texas, passed away on Monday, June 20, 2022 at his apartment home in Baytown. He was born on May 27, 1929 in Elena, Texas to Madison Ceal and Annie Mae Norris.

He spent his youth on the San Jacinto River, attended Robert E. Lee High School, and became a motion picture operator in his hometown and would continue that career for over 50 years at numerous theaters and drive-ins in the Houston and Baytown area including Northshore Theater, Decker Drive-in & San Jacinto Mall.

Slick made his mark in the country music business in the 1950’s as a dj, promoter, producer & manager to some of the biggest names country music had to offer, but the biggest impact of his life was from a country music artist named Jimmy C. Newman who introduced him to his future wife, Betty, to whom he would fall in love and married just two short years later. In 1959 they had their first son and shortly after they built their home in Lynchburg, Texas, where they would live out their lives married for 62 years.

Slick started his family and had 4 sons while continuing his career as a motion picture operator and making his legacy behind the scenes in country music. He spent his days manicuring his yard to perfection. He certainly had a knack for landscaping and beautiful flowers. All the while, he would never miss his family vacations and the opportunities to drive to the mountains and rivers for camping adventures, while stopping at every a.m. radio station along the way to promote new artists and tell old stories.

Slick was preceded in death by his parents and his wife. He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his children Steve, Mike, Greg, & Chris Norris; his daughter-in-laws Janet and Patty Norris; his grandchildren Melissa, Ryan, Katelyn, Travis, Montana, Chris, Jennifer, Jessica, Justin, Jason, Josh, and Jacy; his sister Rosa Mae Gallik; his nieces Peggy, Lori, Patty, and Judy; his nephews Eddie, Ronnie, Rick and Mark; and his nine great-grandchildren with more on the way.

Serving the family as pallbearers will be Justin Norris, Kevin Garcia, Ryan Norris, Travis Norris, Chris Miller, Ronnie Bell, Zach Hon, and Cody Humphrey.

Visitation for Francis will take place from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 23, 2022 at Sterling-White Funeral Home with services to begin at 2:00 p.m. officiated by Tommy Meekins (11011 Crosby-Lynchburg Road, Highlands Texas) with interment to follow in Sterling white Cemetery.