
Norman Cecil James, Jr., 66, of Weeksville in Elizabeth City, NC died Monday, January 10, 2022, at his residence. He was born March 27, 1955, in Pasquotank County to the late Norman Cecil James, Sr. and Shirley Jean Johnson James and was the widower of Janice Marie Copley James. He was a flight director for TCOM, an Aerostat Manufacturer.
He is survived by a daughter, Alexandria James Brickhouse (Johnathan); a sister, Kathy S. James; grandson, Casen Brickhouse; and Special caretaker, Renee Williams, all of Elizabeth City, NC.
A funeral service will be held Thursday, January 13, 2022, at 2:00 pm at Twiford Memorial Chapel with the Rev. F. Joe Griffith officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will follow in West Lawn Cemetery. The service will be livestreamed at www.facebook.com/TwifordFuneralHome. Twiford Memorial Chapel, 405 East Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC is serving the James family. You may express condolences to the family by visiting www.TwifordFH.com.
To plant a tree in memory of Mr. James or send flowers to the family, please visit www.TwifordFH.com/send-flowers.
Contact Information:
Twiford Funeral Home (Elizabeth City)
405 East Church Street,
Fax: 252-335-4329
Email: J.J.Twiford@TwifordFH.com
Offer Condolence for the family of Norman C. James, Jr.

Teresa Brickhouse
Alex and family. I’m so sorry for your loss. May God give you peace and comfort at this sad time! John and Teresa Brickhouse
Andy & Fran Bright
Kathy, Renee and Family,
So shocked to hear of Norman Jr passing and so soon after his Aunt Joyce. Our prayers are with you and all family members at this sad and difficult time. No words can really offer the comfort that you seek at times like this. God Bless
Susan Gagnon
I’m very sorry for all Norman’s family, friends, and Alex for your loss. Norman was a talent in his music, and will be missed by many. Hold all good memories close to your heart, he will always be there.
Ann and Allan McPherson
To the family,
I was so sorry to hear about Norman Jr. Loosing someone is never easy especially before
their time.
Please know that Allan and I will keep you in prayer as you walk through these difficult days and months ahead.
Blessings,
Ann McPherson
Carol and Bobby Ferrell
Kathy and family
Sorry to hear of Norman’s passing.
Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time.
Mike & Dawn Hyde
Our sincere condolences to Norman’s family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. I was a coworker with Norman for over 30 years traveling the world for TCOM. During that time we became good friends and had some memorable times together. God speed Norman and RIP my friend..
Sylke V.
I am saddened to hear about your passing Mr. Norman. You will be missed! My deepest condolences to Ms Rene, Mr Joey and family.
Judy B Johnson
Gone way too soon but hopefully and prayerfully, in a much better place while singing and playing his beautiful
music.
Jean Stone
Alex, I am so sorry to hear of your father’s passing. Please know that I am thinking of you and your family and praying for comfort and peace.
Linda B Thompson
So sorry for your loss asking for Gods comfort Amen
Brenda and Gale Benton
Alex and family, so sorry to hear this sad news. Sending prayers of Peace and Comfort. Cherish the memories and hold them in your heart forever.
Jennifer Oliver
Thinking of you and your family.
Love and prayers,
Barry and Jennifer
Edward G. Power
Our prayers and condolences go out to your family. Norman was a great co-worker and mentor.
Paula J. James
Kathy , Alex & Renee & family,
Deeply saddened and may the wonderful memories of the happier life he enjoyed help heal your hearts. He and I spoke often and treasure those times and thankful he shared his thoughts with me. I found these verses of prose that give me comfort and reminds me of how happy Norman was when he was on the water.
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m Free. God put me on a boat headed out to sea. Where everyday is a day to fish. To fill his heart with every wish. Don’t worry or feel sad for me, I’m fishing with the Master of the Sea. If my parting has left a void, then fill it with remebered joys. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss. Oh, yes these things I too will miss. To all of those that think of me, Be happy as I go out to sea. My life’s been full, I savored much, Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch. Perhaps my time seemed all to brief, don’t lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your hearts and peace to thee, God wanted me now; He set me free!
My deepest sympathy and love go out to you all,
Paula
Linda Biggs
Alex I am so sorry to read of your Dads passing. You have really had a tough few years. Prayers for you and your family.
Tom Codrick
So Very Sorry for your loss, Norman will be dearly missed. My Thoughts and Prayers go out to His entire Family.
Donna and Gregg Stewart
Kathy, Renee and all of the family,
We are so sorry to hear of Norman Jr.’s passing. Especially after the shock of losing Aunt Joyce. Please know our prayers are with you all. Our prayers are with each of you.
Ross Lounsbury
Kathy and family- my heartfelt sorrow is for you, I will miss my brother of another mother
and will always cherish the amazing times we had together.
Buck
marilou wilson
Kathy, Renee, Stacy, and Aubry Jr, and our entire family,
We are so deeply saddened by Norman’s sudden passing. We regret we can not be there in person however, we are there in heart and spirit. We have great memories of visiting and talking about the places he had seen and visited. He was an awesome cook and will be missed terribly. Lots of love from us to the entire family.
Lots of prayers and hugs
Bryan and Marilou Wilson
Keith Shook
Spent some of the best years of my life in the bahamas with Norman, great friend. So sorry to hear about Normans passing, Ourprayers are with you all.
Chap and Ginny Ward
Kathy, Alex, Renee & Family,
We were so sorry to hear about Norman’s passing. We have so many memories of him and he will be missed by many. He loved many things including his music. We enjoyed the Five Star Band days with him so much. May he rest in peace. Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Chap & Ginny Ward
Jody Rohr
Had some wonderful times with Norman. We weren’t just colleagues we were friends. I met Norman in 1983 in the old hanger. I wasn’t sure what to think about him at first and I was sure he didn’t know what to think about me. Well we ended up in the Bahamas together & the friendship took off from there. It was the best of times. The friendship went on forever. I respected him and I learned from him. I partied with him, drank beer with him sometimes a little more than beer. If you knew Norman you knew he was a man of his word, a friend who you could share with. A friend you could trust. I traveled with him for work. We would drive together to and from our hotels to the sites. I marveled at him as he would take a break and run around the flight pad 10 times at a speed that you couldn’t believe. I loved him. I haven’t seen my friend in a few years but occasionally we would talk on the phone. I’m saddened by his passing. Their is one thing I am sure about, Norman came from gods country (Weeksville N C) and that now he is also in Gods country Heaven. My Condolences to his Sister, His Daughter and to everyone who was his friend and those who were close to him. May his soul be at peace . He was one of the good guy. God bless Norman James.
Rachel Chrystal
Wishing you strength and comfort in this sorrowful time. Many thoughts and prayers sent. May loving memories of Mr. Norman help the James Family find peace.
TJ and Joyce James
We are so sorry to hear about Norman. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Buzz Koskovich
I have just learned of Norman’s passing and offer my deepest condolences to the James family ! I am also deeply saddened that so many of us have lost a wonderful, genuine, hard-working, fun-loving friend way too early !!
In addition to being a good person and steadfast friend, his world-class skills as a “balloon’er” were second to none. One day later in his career I asked him, “Norman, when 30 hour work days and dealing with the wind, snow, cold, rain, heat, et al become too much for you, who’s gonna replace you leading the field inflation of these aerostats?”. He thought about that question and then turned to me and simply said, “No one ….!!”. For a split second I thought he was joking and then realized he wasn’t. Now…after all these years…I realize he was probably right ! He truly was a talented, one-of-a-kind, Master of his craft !
So, again, I offer my sincere condolences to the entire James family as we all share in your loss of a VERY SPECIAL PERSON but…we are forever blessed in having had him as part of our lives! RIP…
Rita Putrus
Kathy & Family, We just heard the news of Norman’s passing and we are so very sorry. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Please let us know if there’s anything we can do. Rita & Scott
Kathie Mester
My thoughts and prayers are with the James family. I am so sorry for your loss.
May God bless you all and bring you peace knowing Norman is in a better place.
Bryan Peiffer
My condolences and deepest heart felt sympathies to the James family and all who were close to Norman. I first met Norman in 2005 working on a Aerostat in the hangar, Norman taught me a lot on that trip and every time we worked together. I will forever be thankful for that. He will be missed. Rest In Peace my friend.
Michael Potts
Will miss Norman. Such a great spirit. Memory Eternal
Lizabeth
My condolences to Norman’s family.
Very saddened to hear of Norman’s passing..
Gone too soon.
My (ex) husband and I knew Norman and Paula from 34 years ago while they lived on Grand Bahama Island.
May you Rest In Peace, Norman.
Liz
Grand Bahama Island, The Bahamas.
David Mulholland
Kathy and Norman’s Extended Family,
I am so very sorry to hear about Norman’s passing. I was happy to work with him on-and-off for 20 years at TCOM. He was a super competent guy, willing to explain things to those of us learning the ropes. He hung in there when the going was tough and he was a great leader; he kept it real and had a great sense of humor. Thanks for sharing the video tribute. Blessings and peace to his loved ones, friends and colleagues.
Kathy Robinson
I’m so very sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing a beautiful video of Norman’s life.
Tom Heins
I am very sorry to learn of the loss of Norman. I first met Norman in 1984 when he took me under his wing to teach me as much as he could about aerostats. I have always felt indebted to Norman for the patience he had with me, and the knowledge he imparted to me, during those long days on the CARIBALL deployment. Any time I needed assistance in the ensuing years Norman would not hesitate to take his time to help in any way he could. Often the lessons would end over a beer at a local establishment. I have not had the privilege of seeing Norman for several years but he will be sorely missed.
To his sister Kathy, I am deeply sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time.
Bob Elloff
I just heard about my brother Norman leaving this world. We had many a good time working together, Southwest sites, Le Mans France, Kuwait, EMIRATES, JLENS and Ecity. We had many a drink together and bitching sessions (sorry Fletcher!). I will always miss his music and times we (all of Tcom) spent together. when the band played. Rest In Peace my brother!
John Elliott
Knew Norman and Guenther, what a nice guy. Sorry for his passing.