Norris Lynn Fanning

Norris Lynn Fanning passed away on Saturday, March 27, 2021. Visitation will be at Sanders Funeral Home Wednesday evening, 7:00-8:30 p.m. Funeral Service will be at Southcrest Baptist Church on Thursday, April 1 at 10:30 a.m., with graveside services to follow at the Lubbock Cemetery. Norris found his way home, peacefully in his sleep. He was one of a kind: Christian, mentor, father, husband, brother, teacher, theologian, friend, musician, writer, poet, storyteller, artist, photographer, auto mechanic, computer programmer, philosopher, theologian, hunter, fisherman, Renaissance man, and brilliant mechanical engineer. Born September 20, 1934, in Winnsboro, Texas, Norris spent his childhood on a farm where he loved to fish. In high school, he was an avid member of the Future Farmers of America with friend Joe Dan Boyd, which prepared him for the leadership role he would later play in life. Early on, he had a laser-like focus on his goal of becoming an engineer. He put himself through Tyler Junior College, riding 60 miles on a bus to and from classes and selling Fuller Brush to fund his education. The foundation of his early life was his Christian faith and his membership in the Center Grove Baptist Church. It was there that he met and married the preacher's daughter: the love of his life, Phyllis June Owens, on July 28, 1956. After surviving polio, Norris moved to Lubbock, Texas with Phyllis, where Norris was graduated from Texas Tech in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. His instruction included 23 credit hours taught by L.J. "Jack" Powers. He was a member of Tau Beta Pi National Honorary Engineering Fraternity. He subsequently was honored as a charter member of the Academy of Mechanical Engineers at Texas Tech and as the Engineer of the Year for the South Plains Chapter of TSPE in 2003. Norris became an extraordinary mechanical engineer and won many awards; he was known for his innovative designs of mechanical systems for buildings. He and his brother John built their business (Fanning, Fanning and Associates) into the leading MPE consulting engineering company in West Texas. Norris was always family-oriented and believed family should be part of the business. He encouraged his sons and grandson to study engineering and all followed in his footsteps, graduating from Texas Tech with mechanical engineering degrees. He took pride that both of his sons, Scott and Doyle, and his grandson Tyler have carried on the business tradition of designing HVAC, Electrical, and Plumbing systems for buildings. Norris was a practical engineer who wanted everyone to succeed. He believed in giving opportunities to all and enjoyed watching their development. His legacy of hiring Texas Tech students as interns continues to this day. Norris was an innovator, and in the early 80's developed the first software used for computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) - PEGAESYS, in West Texas. David Branson, Terry Smith, and Peter Kellerman partnered with him to craft the software still used today in the firm's work. Under Norris's leadership, the company ultimately employed about 50 engineers, designers, and support staff. FFA has designed more than 300 projects on the Texas Tech University campus, among the thousands of total projects. Norris had the ability to develop bonds and forge lifelong friendships with many FFA clients and colleagues. His AIA Lubbock friends know him fondly. He frequently entertained with stories about his brother Jim's Harley Davidson motorcycle with the suicide clutch, the Taylorcraft airplane with the locking throttle, and many more. Everyone wanted to hear his stories. (He embellished.) Norris's friends were friends for life, and he touched many lives. While he was building his business and enjoying a flourishing career, he was also a devoted husband, friend, and father. He loved to play Chess and taught the game to all his children. He also had a knack for explaining complicated mathematical principles in simple language. After a business colleague gifted him with an English Setter, he trained the dog to point (but never hold) and developed an interest in bird hunting. He made frequent bird-hunting trips to the hunting lease, something he really enjoyed with his best friend, Dave Clemens. Dinner at the Fanning home was always preceded by grace at the table, peppered with Bible stories during the meal, and followed by impromptu singing and playing. Norris played guitar, banjo, harmonica, dulcimer, violin, mandolin and many more instruments, all with his own captivating folk-gospel style. Everyone who knew Norris will long remember his amazing stories, and how freely he entertained with the closest instrument at hand. His faith in Jesus Christ was strong and he loved to be in conversation and deep thought about theology. He left a lasting impression on anyone able to follow his theories of physics, science, and religion. As a teacher at Tech filling in for his mentor Jack F. Roberts, his finest students often became his employees, and those relationships often lasted for many years. As a pillar of the engineering community in West Texas, he cast a very long shadow, especially among the members of the West Texas Chapter of ASHRAE. Norris Fanning was, to all who knew him well, simply a legend. He will be missed by many dear friends and his family who adored him. He is survived by his loving wife, Phyllis June Owens Fanning, his son Scott Fanning (and wife Edie), his daughter Cynthia Juno (and wife Jill Kasofsky), his son Doyle Fanning (and wife Kathy), grandchildren Tyler Fanning (and wife Laura), Bonnie Wright (and husband Greg), Hannah Vest (and husband Hayden) and Jake Juno-Kasofsky. Norris was blessed to have four great-grandchildren: Jackson Scott Fanning and Brock Michael, Jay Kendrick, and Dean Allen Wright. He is also survived by his siblings, James "Jim" Fanning, Rosemary Fanning Trevino (and Joseph), John Fanning (and Michaele), Diana Meadows (and Pat), his brother-in-law David Owens (and Emma), and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. In lieu of flowers, Norris would have loved to have you support the Rotary Club of Lubbock's Polio Plus campaign, care of Rotary Club of Lubbock Foundation, 1001 Main Street, Suite 805, Lubbock, Texas 79401. Rotary has almost completed its mission of ridding the world of polio.

Norris Lynn Fanning

September 20, 1934 - March 27, 2021