IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Melvin
Norris
June 4, 1952 – December 6, 2025
Obituary
Melvin Edward (Posey) Norris Jr., age 73, of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, December 6, 2025, with his wife by his side. Born on June 4, 1952, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Violet (Posey) Norris and Melvin Edward Norris Sr.
Melvin graduated from Simon Gratz High School in Philadelphia in 1969. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts from Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1973. He received his Master of Arts from the University of Colorado in 1975 and completed his Ph.D. in 1980 at the University of Colorado-Boulder. His doctoral dissertation, Dearfield, Colorado—The Evolution of a Rural Black Settlement: An Historical Geography of Black Colonization on the Great Plains, has been widely cited in numerous publications about the history of Dearfield, Colorado.
During his doctoral studies, Melvin was recruited by the Central Intelligence Agency to assist with mapping projects in the Sinai Peninsula and the West Bank in the late 1970s.
Melvin's distinguished academic career included positions where he served as Assistant Professor of African American Studies at Metropolitan State University in Denver, Colorado; and Assistant Professor and later Professor of Geography and Geology at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls as well as the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
Among his many accomplishments, Melvin took special pride in his family legacy. His uncle, Charles Gomillion, was the lead plaintiff in the landmark 1960 civil rights case Gomillion v. Lightfoot, in which the U.S. Supreme Court declared racial gerrymandering unconstitutional.
In his spare time, Melvin enjoyed reading car magazines, traveling, collecting guitars, researching his genealogy and watching the History Channel.
Melvin was preceded in death by his sister, Virginia Elizabeth "Cheita" Fortson. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Edwina "Winnie" Norris; his son, Cameron Harvey of Nashville, Tennessee; his sister, Ella Cauthern of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; his brother, Kelvin Norris of Lewistown, Pennsylvania; as well as many beloved in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews.
The family extends their deepest gratitude to Heartland Hospice for their exceptional care, compassion and support during Melvin's final days. They also wish to thank Fox Cities Funeral and Cremation Services for their guidance and assistance during this difficult time.
At this time, no service has been scheduled.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Heartland Hospice in his honor.
Melvin graduated from Simon Gratz High School in Philadelphia in 1969. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts from Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1973. He received his Master of Arts from the University of Colorado in 1975 and completed his Ph.D. in 1980 at the University of Colorado-Boulder. His doctoral dissertation, Dearfield, Colorado—The Evolution of a Rural Black Settlement: An Historical Geography of Black Colonization on the Great Plains, has been widely cited in numerous publications about the history of Dearfield, Colorado.
During his doctoral studies, Melvin was recruited by the Central Intelligence Agency to assist with mapping projects in the Sinai Peninsula and the West Bank in the late 1970s.
Melvin's distinguished academic career included positions where he served as Assistant Professor of African American Studies at Metropolitan State University in Denver, Colorado; and Assistant Professor and later Professor of Geography and Geology at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls as well as the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
Among his many accomplishments, Melvin took special pride in his family legacy. His uncle, Charles Gomillion, was the lead plaintiff in the landmark 1960 civil rights case Gomillion v. Lightfoot, in which the U.S. Supreme Court declared racial gerrymandering unconstitutional.
In his spare time, Melvin enjoyed reading car magazines, traveling, collecting guitars, researching his genealogy and watching the History Channel.
Melvin was preceded in death by his sister, Virginia Elizabeth "Cheita" Fortson. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Edwina "Winnie" Norris; his son, Cameron Harvey of Nashville, Tennessee; his sister, Ella Cauthern of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; his brother, Kelvin Norris of Lewistown, Pennsylvania; as well as many beloved in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews.
The family extends their deepest gratitude to Heartland Hospice for their exceptional care, compassion and support during Melvin's final days. They also wish to thank Fox Cities Funeral and Cremation Services for their guidance and assistance during this difficult time.
At this time, no service has been scheduled.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Heartland Hospice in his honor.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Melvin Norris, please visit our flower store.
Melvin Norris's Guestbook
Visits: 77
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors