Dr. James W. Norbury, Jr., M.D. passed away March 26, 2023 at the age of 67. He was born on May 17, 1955, to James William Norbury and Hazel Helene (Smith) Norbury in Fall River, Massachusetts. James (Jim) was raised in Seattle, Washington where he developed a love for sailing. He especially loved sailing on Lake Washington where he received his sailing certification. He graduated from Washington State University in 1977 with a degree in Zoology.
In 1980 Jim joined the Army and attended The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) in Bethesda, MD. He graduated from USUHS in May of 1984 with a Doctor of Medicine Degree. He proudly served his country as a medical student and a physician from 1980 - 1993. Jim married Donna in May of 1984 at the historic Walter Reed Army Medical Center Memorial Chapel, and they were married for 39 years.
In 1990 Jim deployed to Desert Storm. During that time, he was promoted to the rank of Major. In March 1991 he was awarded the Bronze Star for his performance as a Battalion Surgeon during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia & Iraq. He was also awarded the Kuwait Liberation Medal-Saudi Arabia.
After being Honorably Discharged from the Army in 1993, Jim and Donna relocated to the Dallas area where Jim began an Ophthalmology Pre-Residency Clinical & Corneal Fellowship at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center from 1993-1995. In 1995 Jim entered the Ophthalmology Residency Program at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX. Jim graduated from the residency program in 1998 and became a full time Ophthalmologist. Jim had an esteemed career as an Ophthalmologist. For the past 16 years he worked at Heritage Eye Center in McKinney, Texas. He worked at both the McKinney Office and the Allen Office. He adored the staff at Heritage Eye Center and thought of them as family. He also adored his many patients over the years, and he was truly honored and grateful to have cared for them.
Jim will be missed dearly by those who knew and loved him. He was a loving husband, son, brother, uncle, great-uncle, and friend. Jim will always be remembered for his big heart, and his compassion and kindness towards others. He will also be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor and great wit. Jim was a man of Christian faith.
He was preceded in death by his parents James and Hazel Norbury.
Jim is survived by wife, Donna Norbury; sister, Nancy Norbury-Harter and husband, Duane; nephews, Andrew Harter, Benjamin Grimm and wife, Stephanie, Adam Grimm, Zachary Grimm; great-nephews, Andrew Grimm and Robert Grimm; cousins by marriage, Janet Henry and husband, Larry and Joyce Bellassai and husband, Jacques; and a host of other loving family and friends.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Organization for the Prevention of Blindness, or to the American Cancer Society.