Norman Hollis

Norman Edward Hollis, 91, died peacefully May 4, 2015. He devoted his life to his family, his work, and volunteering. Following high school, he graduated from the Ohio Institute of Aeronautics and went to work in 1942 for American Airlines based in New York City as a mechanic. In 1944 Norm joined the Army Air Corps during WWII. As a Sergeant he was responsible for the refugees and cargo while flying the Hump between India and China. Returning to Ohio following the end of the war, he met Jeanne. Norm moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to continue work for American Airlines. Norm and Jeanne married in 1947 and settled in Tulsa where they raised a daughter, Nancy. Starting to work at American as a mechanic, Norm retired as a manager for aircraft overhaul production in 1980. He enjoyed the travel, friends, and experiences that he had. He was awarded the Boss of the Year, Service to Mankind award and the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award. While in Tulsa, Norm was an active member of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church. After a 38 year career for American Airlines, Norm volunteered for three years for the Red Cross working mass disaster relief following hurricanes. In 1983 he began a remarkable second career with the Tulsa based Omni Air International airline family. He traveled the world representing the company in numerous transactions ranging from aircraft acquisitions to modification and heavy maintenance checks. His knowledge and experience transcended multiple heavy jet aircraft including the B777, B767, B757, B747, B727 and DC10. Norm was an integral part of the technical startup and on-going operations of the airline. He mentored numerous team members at the company for nearly three decades. He left a positive and indelible imprint on the airline and will be greatly missed. While working for Omni, he loved sharing the destinations with his wife and daughter. In 2007 Norm and Jeanne moved to Pryor, Oklahoma to be closer to Nancy and son-in-law Terry. The greatest loves of his life were his wife, daughter, granddaughter, and great grandson. He enjoyed going to garage sales and dumpster diving finding "keepers.' Working in the airline industry was his passion. His last contract aviation job was when he was 90. Norm was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanne, who passed in Oct 2014 and his parents. He is survived by his daughter and son in law, Nancy and Terry Davis of Pryor, Oklahoma, granddaughter Michelle Davis of Tulsa, great grandson Colton Davis of Tulsa, his sister Betty Dove in Centerburg, Ohio and nephews Richard Dove, Larry Dove, and David Fawcett. He is also survived by his long time pal since Aeronautics school, Bill Shelton, of Camarillo, California and numerous other friends. A memorial celebration will be held on Monday, May 11th, at the First United Methodist Church of Pryor at 2 P.M. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or the charity of your choice. To leave a personal message to his family, please see his Book of Memories at www.shipmansfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Shipman's Funeral & Cremation Service.

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