John E. "Gene" Norris 72 Educator Mentor and Friend of 2430 Main Street Newberry and also of Beaufort died Tuesday July 6 2004 at Lexington Medical Center. Mr. Norris was born on Dec. 16 1931 in Newberry a son of the late Eugene Edward and Reba Lorick Norris. He was a member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church Newberry and St. Helena's Church in Beaufort. He was retired from the Beaufort School System where he taught English and served as a Guidance Counselor. He was graduated from Newberry College did graduate work at Boston University and received a Master's Degree from the University of Georgia. He was a leader in the Beaufort County Historical Society and the South Carolina Historical Society. He was a past-president of the S.C. Council of Teachers of English and in 2004 was given the Richard W. Riley Award for his outstanding service to the organization. In 2003 he was named S.C. Ambassador for Economic Development by Gov. Mark Sanford. His most lasting legacy is reflected in the generations of students he taught and counseled. Notably among these is Pat Conroy who championed Gene Norris in many of his works of fiction as well as non-fiction.Mr. Norris is survived by his cousins: Ruby Norris Morgan (Douglas ) MacDonald David E.Lorick Jr (Linda) Gloria L. Pleger (Karl) John L. Lorick (Cindy) Carroll J. Lorick (Susan). Also Norris Long (Michelle) Elizabeth K. Long Michael David Lorick Cynthia L. Pace (David) Geneva Lorick Eleanor Lorick Timothy Lorick (Dana) David Pleger and Emily Pleger and one aunt by marriage Eugenia Calliston Norris. Funeral services for John Eugene Norris will be conducted at 12:00 Noon Saturday July 10 2004 at St. Luke's Episcopal Church by the Rev. Michael Jones and the Rev. Liz Dowling. Interment will be in Rosemont Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:30 AM Saturday at the Whitaker Funeral Home Memorials may be made to The Gene Norris Educational Scholarship at Beaufort High School 84 Sea Island Parkway Beaufort S.C. 29902Active pallbearers will be Norris Long Michael Lorick Willie Rivera Mike Sargent Elgin Atchinson and Joe Simpkins.Messages to the family may be sent via email at notes@whitakerfuneralhome.com.Whitaker Funeral Home 1704 College Street Newberry SC is assisting the family.