Birth date: Jul 27, 1955 Death date: Feb 28, 2020
JAMES ALLAN NORMINGTON July 27, 1955 – February 28, 2020 With deep sadness, we announce the passing of James A. Normington, 64, on Friday, February 28, 2020 following a battle with cancer. A resident of St. Petersburg for 24 year Read Obituary
James and I were engaged to be married what seems like so long ago. The first house he bought was also our first home on Connecticut Avenue. We had a fun relationship and laughed a LOT! I still have the dress I was going to get married in hanging in my closet. Even though that was over 15 years ago we stayed in touch. I have so many fond memories of camping, gambling cruises, watching sunsets, dancing in the street and game nights with his Mom and Sue. What I remember most is all the laughter... even the last time we spoke we were giggling like teenagers. When he wrote me about his diagnoses I have never felt his spirit so shattered since his Moms passing. He was nervous and anxious and I just hope he was able to find some sort of peace in the end. He always told me I was, "the one who got away, and he would always love me," I guess this is how that love story ends. He is someone who will always have a piece of my heart and I will truly miss. Sending my love to his family in friends in this sad time.
Jim was one of 7 kids, and no doubt the relationships we all shared with each other were different…and even though our memories are as varied as we are as individuals, one thing we all shared in was loving our brother, Jim.
Jim and I, being close in age, grew up together, and he was my confidant and friend. Although we argued as kids, we also shared a lot of laughs, and he was the one person I trusted would always look out for me. The security of knowing that he would be there if I needed him stayed with me throughout my life.
In my early 20s, sometime around 1981, Jim and I shared an apartment in Manassas, Virginia for a year or so. It was during this time that I met my husband, Dave. Dave and Jim immediately became close friends, and Jim would always tell me what a great guy I had found. The three of us spent our Sundays together watching the Redskins play, where we enacted completed passes in the living room of our small apartment, throwing our homemade penalty flags at the TV, yelling loudly at Theismann, cheering the antics of the John Riggins…just being ridiculous. Those were fun days....football was our thing. Looking back, it’s a wonder we weren’t tossed out of that apartment.
In about 1985, Jim moved to St. Petersburg, FL. It made it more difficult to maintain our close relationship after that, but in the way of an old friend, we always picked up where we left off, like we had seen each other yesterday.
We shared many of the same friends growing up, and for those who knew him, I know you will agree that he truly was one of a kind. He had the quirkiest sense of humor, with the most contagious laugh, of anyone I’ve ever known…As my daughter Danielle describes him, “Uncle Jim was truly hilarious, and it was impossible not to laugh when you were with him." He was an uncle she adored, and Jim made sure Danielle knew he felt the same. With his strong sense of confidence, movie-star good looks, that beautiful smile, people were drawn to Jim. But it was his sensitive, gentle spirit that his family will miss most. There’s now a place for him in my heart that belongs to no one else. We all love you, Jim. Rest in peace until we meet again.
Lisa
My Peter Pan, you and I were going to be the ones who never grew up....I am going to miss you....I am going to miss talking to you, laughing with you, making plans to meet but knowing we never would - it was fun to pretend. You were my Peter Pan and I was your Tinker Bell - we were crazy back in the late 70's and early 80's - my goodness the trouble you and I caused - but looking back - I would not have changed a thing - you are my oldest and dearest friend, I am so thankful you and I stayed in contact with each other - you helped me thru Bonnie's passing and then Mama's passing - you knew what I was going thru and you knew just what to say - I will treasure my little armored man, I will look at him everyday and remember you. I wish you had made it back to Virginia for a visit - I love you my dear friend, I will miss you terribly - Love, Jaimie-lee
