WEEKLY, Norman (Stormin Norman) Lee

The Payson Roundup, Payson, Arizona, Friday, August 08, 2014 Norman “Stormin' Norman” Lee Weekly September 23, 1942 - June 19, 2014 Norman Lee Weekly, known far and wide as “Stormin’ Norman,” made his final 1/4-mile pass at the age of 71 in Payson, Ariz. Norm kicked the bucket on June 19, 2014. Although he would’ve rather gone balls to the wall, pedal to the metal shouting “holy sh*t what a ride!” he went rather peacefully in his sleep with his daughter Kerrey and granddaughter Jewel by his side. Norman was born to Raymond and Grace Weekly on Sept. 23, 1942 in Exeter, Calif. and was the youngest of five children. As a native Californian, he grew up to love hard work, fast cars and pretty girls. A hellion from the start, Norm began street racing and was soon known for kicking a** and taking names. It didn’t take long for this hobby to become the real deal when he teamed up with Ron Rivero. It was a real act of fate when the small town duo soon allied with Denis Holding and Jim Fox to form what became the legendary racing team known as the Frantic Four. During the 1964 and 1965 seasons, they held the No. 1 spot on the Drag News Top 10 list and set top speed at the ’64 Nationals with Norm flying in at 202.24 mph. Known for his wheel stands and smoking tires, he was a force to be reckoned with. Eventually the allure of those pretty girls was too much for ol’ Stormin’ Norman, and he decided to hang up his fire suit to put some roots down and raise a family. With three little “no-necks” to feed, Norm made ends meet by driving a cement truck and owning a gas station. After an early retirement, Norm couldn’t stay away from the racetrack, but this time found a love for one with more dirt and less asphalt. Norm became the owner of several successful racehorses, including one (believe it or not) named Stormin’ Norman. He enjoyed feeding them carrots out of the back pocket of his (way too short) cut-off Levis. He also loved spending time on the river, in his boat Halfbreed with his family and many friends. Most weekends were spent on the river, teaching his kids how to water ski and catch fish. You can bet that with this man’s love for beer and a good time, Norm hosted many unforgettable parties too. In his later years he was able to rejoin the Frantic Four crew to show the fans how it was done back in the day. He loved being able to let the fans sit in the car for fire ups, always laughing at the looks on their faces when they were done and loving when they would tell him that was the best two minutes of their lives! One of the crowd favorites for sale at every event, were his famous Nitro Pickles which he ‘grew his own self.’ The last couple of years, Norm could be found in his garden with his grandkids or sitting in his favorite chair reading his books, enjoying a cold one, and smoking his Winstons. With a little begging and some puppy eyes, his granddaughter even convinced him to teach her how to drive stick, which was an experience neither would soon forget. Norman leaves behind his sisters, Darlene Bolt and Dolores Renner; his beloved daughters, Kelley O’Sullivan and Kerrey Weekly; his many, many grandchildren; one great-grandchild; three ex-wives; and possibly some secret and some not-so-secret love children. Waiting on the other side for Norm are his parents; his brothers, Melvin Weekly and Vernon Weekly; and his son, Randy Weekly, who he loved and was always so proud of, even if he couldn’t say it. Stormin’ Norman would not want your sympathy, but we are sure he would prefer if you would raise a beer (big evil grin) and wish him safe passage to the next staging line.