Norman Ray Gullick was born 10 September 1935 to Benjamin F. Gullick and Eunice Belle (Williams) Gullick in Pontotoc, Mississippi and raised on the family farm in Hurricane Mississippi. Norman attended Hurricane High School and graduated in 1953. Norman was the youngest of 9 children.
Norman was self-admitted to AnMed Hospital Christmas Eve 2017 for fatigue and fevers. Later he was diagnosed with MDS (pre-leukemia) and respiratory distress. He passed away on Saturday morning at 8:38 on the 20th of January 2018.
Norman was a devoted and loving husband and father. Norm is survived by wife of 63 years, Mildred Lucille (Lindsey) Gullick and their 3 children. Norm and Lucy were married on 6 October 1954 in Pontotoc, Mississippi at the First Baptist Church. They have lived in Fairplay, SC since August 1992. Their children are: Randy K Gullick of Waleska, GA (Donna); Cynthia R Gullick Fairchild of Jacksonville, FL; Lisa K Gullick Miller (Michael) of Dawsonville, GA. Norman has 2 grandchildren through Cindy, Ryan Fairchild (Alexandra Sorgi) and Megan Fairchild Stepp (Voyce) along with a great-granddaughter Sienna Stepp. Norm has 3 other grandchildren through Randy's marriage to Donna, (Natalie, Leah and Felicia), and a great grandson Ayden (Felicia). He is survived by his sister, Evelyn Gullick Caldwell of Dallas, Texas.
Norman had a passion for music and started playing the mandolin at the age of 4. He was an accomplished guitarist as well. It wasn't until he began copywriting his music in the late sixties that he taught himself to read music and play the piano. Throughout his life he was always a member of a band playing the guitar, mandolin and as a lead vocalist. He appeared on WTUP radio station in Tupelo, Mississippi in his early days. Later on as his career with AT&T moved the family around, he always found a way to continue his interests in sharing music with others.
His wife Lucy saw an ad in the Memphis paper that AT&T was hiring in late 1955 and encouraged him to apply. Not knowing anything about AT&T he applied anyhow and began his career with AT&T Long Lines in Jackson, Mississippi in May 1956. He started as a craftsman and began working his way up the corporate ladder. As he was given new assignments and earned promotions they lived throughout the Southeast, New Jersey and California. After AT&T was split in 1983 he managed the Internal Auditing group in northern California where he completed certification as a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA). Norman retired from AT&T as District Manager for the CFO Corporate Security division in December 1989 and was a life member of the Telephone Pioneers of America.
After their retirement Norm and Lucy relocated to Lake Hartwell in 1992 where he designed, built and supervised every aspect of the construction of their retirement home. Part of the reason they located here at Lake Hartwell was that along the way at AT&T they developed a longtime friendship with another family that retired in Heritage Shores.
Norm and Lucy were long time members of the Lavonia Presbyterian Church. Norm was very active in the congregation where he taught Adult Sunday School and in the last year Youth Sunday School. He was an elder of the church, Clerk of Session, member of the choir and participated in the Lavonia community mobile food bank. During the last 2 years Norm filled the pulpit while the pastor was away on leave. If there was ever something that needed to be done in the church or community Norm was right there to help. In the fall of 2017, Norm participated in the community prayer service by delivering one of the prayers. Norman lived his Christian commitment and he believed in giving back to the community in which he lived.
A memorial service will be held at 2PM on Saturday, 27 January 2018 at the Lavonia Presbyterian Church. Reverend Jennifer Horton will officiate the service.
In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to Lavonia Presbyterian Church or St Jude's Hospital.
Strickland Funeral Home of Lavonia is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be sent at www.stricklandfh.com.