LARRY NORMAN (4/8/47 - 2/24/08)

[Pastor Gary]

LARRY NORMAN
4/8/47 - 2/24/08

Hello everybody.

Our friend and my wonderful brother Larry passed away at 2:45 Sunday morning. Kristin and I were with him, holding his hands and sitting in bed with him when his heart finally slowed to a stop. We spent this past week laughing, singing, and praying with him, and all the while he had us taking notes on new song ideas and instructions on how to continue his ministry and art.

Several of his friends got to come and visit with him in the last couple of weeks and were a great source of help and friendship to Larry. Ray Sievers, Derek Robertson, Mike Makinster, Tim and Christine Gilman, Matt and Becky Simmons, Kerry Hopkins, Allen Fleming and a few more. Thank you guys. Larry appreciated your visits very much. And he greatly appreciated the thoughts, wishes, support and prayers that came from all of you Solid Rock friends on a daily basis. Thank you for being part of his small circle of friends over the years. Yesterday afternoon he knew he was going to go home to God very soon and he dictated the following message to you while his friend Allen Fleming typed these words into Larry's computer:
________________________________

I feel like a prize in a box of cracker jacks with God's hand reaching down to pick me up. I have been under medical care for months. My wounds are getting bigger. I have trouble breathing. I am ready to fly home.

My brother Charles is right, I won't be here much longer. I can't do anything about it. My heart is too weak. I want to say goodbye to everyone. In the past you have generously supported me with prayer and finance and we will probably still need financial help.

My plan is to be buried in a simple pine box with some flowers inside. But still it will be costly because of funeral arrangement, transportation to the gravesite, entombment, coordination, legal papers etc. However money is not really what I need, I want to say I love you.

I'd like to push back the darkness with my bravest effort. There will be a funeral posted here on the website, in case some of you want to attend. We are not sure of the date when I will die. Goodbye, farewell, we will meet again.

Goodbye, farewell, we'll meet again
Somewhere beyond the sky.
I pray that you will stay with God
Goodbye, my friends, goodbye.

Larry
________________________________________

Thank you to all of you who were so nice to my brother over the years. Kristin and I will post funeral information in the next day or two. Right now we're not able to function very well, but the whole family is here... our mother Margaret, our sisters Nancy and Kristy, Mike Norman and his new wife Tiffany, and Silver.

We miss him beyond words. Thank you for everything.

Peace to you all in Christ,

Charles Norman

[DeWayneTN]

Sorry to hear this. I only met Larry once but I know his legacy quite well.

[Paully_44]

Love his music and songwriting.

[RamboPreacher]

condolences and prayer continues for family and friends.

[stevenson]

Larry Norman was a great man. It's so sad to hear of his passing. He's one of those guys that you think will never pass away. Fortunately, a part of him will live on through his music. It's just so sad to losse him. Thanks PG for posting it. I wasn't aware that anybody else on here even knew who he was.

[DeWayneTN]

I wasn't aware that anybody else on here even knew who he was.

Hello???

[Paully_44]

I wasn't aware that anybody else on here even knew who he was.

Really???

The following are just a few of my favorite from the original Jesus rocker. He took a stand with his music when nobody else did. I cant imagine the flack he he got from it.

U.F.O
Why Dont You Look Into Jesus
Why Should the Devil
Rock That Doesnt Roll
I Wish We'd All Been Ready

[panhandler]

God Bless his family and close friends during this time. His legacy helped mold Christian music into what it is today!

[Jennifer Smith]

In high school I listened to Larry Norman's music on Friday nights late, the only time they played Christian rock. He is very unique and special.

[stevenson]

I figured if anybody knew Larry they would have questioned my use of oneway ministries. The name came from Larry Norman's OneWay Records label. If not for Larry there woul have been no Petra, WhiteHeart, etc... . He did for christian rock what Bill Gaither has done for southern gospel.

[Susie Hamilton]

Sorry to hear about this. I listened to his music in early 80's. I agree, he was a big contributor to change in Christian music.

[jinjer]

Sorry to hear about Larry. I had heard he was sick several years ago and followed him recently from afar. I heard my first Larry Norman record in my 8th grade year. My history teacher introduced his music to our class. I love it from the first moment I heard it.

Jinjer

[pastorables]

A classic Christian rocker for sure. There is a ton of video on youtube. Could this have been one of his last concerts from 2007?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRIS0R-- ... re=related

[Mike Vande]

...and now you're gone, so far away.
I hope I'll see you again someday
but if I don't, I hope I'll see you in Heaven.

Goodbye Larry, see you in the Kingdom.

[TC]

I got to see him once live... It was a great "service" There is only one Larry Norman. No one else is even close. He will be missed