NORRIS, Scott Daniel

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona, Sunday, July 07, 2013 Scott Daniel Norris, 28, lost his life Sunday, June 30, 2013, along with 18 others, while defending the town of Yarnell, Ariz., from a devastating wildfire. Scott was born Oct. 12, 1984, and has been a resident of the Prescott area all his life. He attended Liberty Traditional School and Bradshaw Mountain High School, where he was a 2003 graduate. He then attended Yavapai College, where he received his firefighter certification. He has worked for Pro Water Irrigation, NAU Biology Department, Payson Hotshots, and, most recently, Bucky O'Neil's Gun Store and Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot crew. Scott served as a hotshot for approximately five years. Scott was adventurous, clear-thinking, thoughtful, witty, hard-working, and-courageous, and he had a talent for making people laugh and enjoy life. He had a passion for God's creation, and spent much of his time outdoors - hiking, biking, climbing, and snow-boarding. He made several backpacking excursions into various parts of the Grand Canyon, and in 2010 was trip leader for a 230-mile, 20-day private raft trip down the Colorado River, which included his parents and close friends. While off-season from wildland firefighting, he traveled to Thailand, Cambodia, and explored our own beautiful country. He made an extended trip with his good friend, Ian, to Central America, where they visited Costa Rica, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Scott was also a good writer; while traveling he sent descriptive, entertaining emails, and, once in a while, he even penned a poem. Scott was preceded in death by his aunt, Jo-Ann O'Leary Demarino. He is survived by proud parents, Jim and Karen O'Leary Norris of Prescott Valley; sister, Joanna Norris; grandmother, Helen Hale; brother-in-law-to-be, Miles Ritter; brand new nephew, Elijah James Ritter, and girlfriend, Heather Kennedy. He also leaves behind an adoring multitude of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. A memorial service will be held for Scott on Saturday, July 13, 2013, 10 a.m. at The Potter's House Christian Church on Highway 89 in Prescott. Scott will be buried at the Pioneers' Cemetery in Prescott. The burial service will be private. Hampton Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements. Please visit www.hamptonfuneralhome.com to sign Scott's guest book. Donations may be made to Christian Fellowship Ministries: www.worldcfm.com; P.O. Box 2448, Prescott, AZ. 86302; MERKL - Middle East Research Center Limited: www.merkl.org to support Israel; The Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. Ste. 700, Washington D.C. 20004-3024; and the 100 Club of Arizona: www.100club.org , 5033 N. 19th Ave. Phoenix, AZ. 85015. Information provided by survivors.