Jack Norris

John Clayton “Jack” Norris, 84, of Browning, passed away Sunday, October 2, 2022, at the Glacier Care Center, in Cut Bank. Jack was born May 3, 1938, in Great Falls, to the late John Paul and Theresa K. Kologi Norris.  He was a 1965 graduate of Montana State College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Production degree.  Jack met his wife, Lilly, while attending college in Bozeman, and they were married on December 28, 1959.  Jack was employed with the Bureau of Land Management, specializing in range conservation, finally settling in Glendale, Arizona, until his retirement in 1988, when Jack returned to Browning to help take care of the family ranch.

Jack was an avid collector of plants.  He was inducted into the Montana Range Days Hall of Fame in 2013. Upon his death, he had collected and cataloged thousands of plant specimens from both Montana and Arizona, some of which will be donated to Montana State University and will be on exhibit at Range Days.  Also on exhibit, is a collection of Montana plants Jack donated back in 2008.   This incredible collection of Montana and Arizona plants represents years of work.

In addition to his parents, Jack is preceded in death by his wife, Lilly Ann Smith Norris; son, Christopher John Norris; and sister, Esther Norris Swisher.

He is survived by his daughters, Angela Norris (Brian) Schultz of Belgrade and Amy Norris (Brian) Elsmore of Columbus, Mississippi; brother, Ed Norris, of Browning; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; three nieces; two nephews; and their families.

Jack’s family is planning a memorial celebration at the Norris Family Ranch, 8 miles west of Browning on HWY 89, on Tuesday, July 4, from 11am to 2pm. Lunch provided.

Donations may be made in memory of Jack C. Norris to Montana Range Days c/o Gary Olsen, P.O. Box 465, Harlowton, Montana 59036.