Miles Ivan Norwood

Miles Ivan Norwood, departed this earth to be with his Lord and Savior, on Oct. 26, 2012. Miles was born in Elm Springs on Nov. 27, 1923, to Thomas William (Tom) Norwood and Naomi Ruth Newton-Norwood. Raised in Northwest Arkansas, with five brothers and a sister, he saw many changes to the area. Miles graduated from Rogers High School with the Class of 1941. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp. He served as chief aircraft mechanic for the VMSB-244 squadron, servicing the Douglas, SBD "Dauntless" Dive Bomber. He was stationed on many South Pacific Campaign Islands including: Midway, Marshall, Green, Guadacanal, and Bougainville. He served from July of 1941 until his discharge in December of 1945, with three years overseas. After his discharge, Miles attended the University of Arkansas and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Agriculture. He took a teaching job in New Edinburg, Ark., where he met his wife of 61 years, Mary Jo Ferguson-Hansen. They were married on April 7, 1951, in Fordyce. Miles taught agriculture in New Edinburg, Watson Chapel and Kingsland Arkansas. Miles moved his family back to Rogers in 1959, where he worked for the Arkansas Employment Security Division until his retirement in 1974. Miles was an avid fisherman, enjoyed crossword puzzles and reading. He served as a deacon in the First Baptist Church of Rogers for over 50 years. Miles Norwood is preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Ruth Norwood; four brothers, Tommy, Jack, Edgar and Joe Norwood; and sister, Naomi Davidson; daughter, Noma Kay Norwood; and granddaughter Tonya Sixkiller. Miles is survived by his wife, Mary Jo Norwood of the home; daughter, Rita and Travis Duren of Cave Springs; sons Thomas Wayne Norwood and wife Joy of Garfield, Daniel Norwood and wife Lorrie of Jacksonville; and his brother, Hubert Gene Norwood of Boise, Idaho. Miles was a beloved grandfather of 13, great-grandfather of 11 plus a host of nephews, nieces and friends. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 29, 2012, at Rollins Funeral Home in Rogers. Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday at First Baptist Church (8th and Olive) in Rogers with Brothers Tommy Hinson and Tim Perkins officiating. Entombment will follow in Benton County Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Rogers building fund (479-636-3451) or the Gideons International (479-636-5487 or www.gideons.org). Online condolences may be made at www.rollinsfuneral.com.