Matthew Arkle Norris

Matthew Arkle Norris was born November 7th, 1968 in Shawnee Mission, Kansas. He was the eldest child and only son of Larry and Marla Norris. They, as a family, lived mainly in the Gladstone, Missouri area except for a period of 3 years in San Jose, Costa Rica when he was very young. He had one younger sister, Michelle Norris.

Matt graduated from North Kansas City High School in 1988 and attended Oklahoma Christian College for one year. Spring of 1989 found him back in KC planning a wedding with his highschool sweetheart, Kristina ‘Cherie’ Little. They were married August 26, 1989 at Gladstone Church of Christ and resided in the Northland for 5 years. After having their first two sons, they bought their first house in Independence, Missouri. Another 5 years later and another son led them to buy land south of Bates City, Missouri where they built a house and settled in to raise their family.

Matt had several jobs as a young man working at Price Chopper, Furr’s Cafeteria, a CNA at a nursing home where he specialized in the Alzheimer’s unit, selling cars at Gladstone Dodge, working at a paper bag company (where he learned to wrap Christmas presents like a pro!), a truck & trailer lot for railway transportation, and as a security guard before he started training as a plumber. He was a plumber for 25 years with most of that time at A.B. May.

Matt was a faithful husband and father who loved the Lord. When he wasn’t working, he was with his family. He loved to cook, play games, tell jokes and make people laugh. Whatever his sons were into, he jumped in wholeheartedly. He joined his sons in United Ryukyu Kempo Karate achieving his black belt. He was active in Boy Scouts as an adult leader and Honorary Warrior in the tribe of Mic-O-Say attending many campouts and events. He loved the tradition of attending Turkey Hill Ranch Bible Camp in Freeburg, Missouri every year. He also enjoyed going to the movies, bowling, playing pool, experimenting with kayaking and getting together with other families for big gatherings. Grandkids were a whole new level of fun as they came into the family!

Since both Matt and Cherie had been adopted they could see the great need in young people today, they went through training to be foster parents. When training was completed, they felt moved to not register with the state for placements but pray for the Lord to send them the children who needed them. Through this open door outlook for this ministry, young people of various ages from different backgrounds came into their lives and through their home being welcomed as family. Some stayed longer than others, but they each knew they would always have a place at the table. One such young man, Gordon Sires, stayed on as another ‘son’ to raise his family closely connected to the Norris’s.

In 2017, Matt was first diagnosed with esophageal cancer, then undergoing treatment and surgery. This gave him five years of bonus time. In the spring of 2022, they found out that his cancer was back and started treatments again knowing surgery was not an option this time.

In 2021, Matt decided he and Cherie were done with being homeowners, being drawn to sell the family home to become full-time RVers and enjoy a simpler lifestyle. Actual road trips ended up minimal but always memorable including Texas, Oklahoma, Minnesota and some weekend trips locally. In the summer of 2023 he retired from A.B. May and started working as part-time maintenance for Odessa Senior Apartments in Odessa, Missouri. Here he was able to still enjoy the service industry but on an easy schedule and he also formed many new friendships.

November 21, 2024 Matt passed away at Centerpoint Hospital in Independence, Missouri with his wife Cherie by his side. He knew he was declining and had spent the last months of his life having all the talks and preparing Cherie to walk on without him. He spent the last two days of his life speaking personally with each of his sons and his dad to say his goodbyes.

Matt’s memory is treasured by his parents Larry and Marla Norris in Gladstone, his sister Michelle Norris in Liberty, his wife Cherie Norris in Odessa, his son Brian Norris in Lone Jack, his son John Norris and daughter-in-law Abby with their children in Peculiar, his son Kevin Norris with his daughter in Kansas City, Gordon Sires with his children in Odessa, several nieces & nephews that he played an important role in their lives, as well as others that have been blessed by this man. Family was never defined by blood, as everyone was family to Matt.

There will be a Celebration of Life held at Hope Family Fellowship, 2420 S. 53rd Lane in Kansas City, Kansas on December 21st at 1pm with an optional lunch with the family beginning at 11am.