On Thursday, 23 March 2023, as the redeeming dawn of a new day shone upon us, Norwood Earl Golden awoke for what would be his final day on the earth. He spent this day at peace; resting, reflecting, and composedly conversing with his children. Lucid and tranquil, Norwood began to existentially transition, joining the triumphant, indescribable majesty of the invisible choir, returning home to the Lord our God–to his loved ones waiting for him–peacefully shedding his mortal coil at 2:30PM EST. Norwood Earl Golden, originally of Pine Springs, Tyler, Texas, was born on 20 August 1934, to Willie and Harriett M. Golden, one of eleven children–blessed with three brothers and seven sisters. Intelligent, capable, and athletic, Norwood excelled in sports and academia alike, and his love, passion, and skill therein would impact his life for many years to come. Norwood attended Shady Grove, T.J. Austin, and Emmett Scott Elementary in Tyler Texas, and continued his education at Emmett Scott for Secondary School until, during his sophomore year, he transferred to Winona Industrial High School, in nearby Winona, Texas, graduating in May of 1952.

After completing high school, Norwood matriculated at Butler College in Tyler, Texas, attaining his Bachelor's Degree in Social Studies, graduating in May of 1956. During his undergraduate tenure, Norwood nurtured his propensity for leadership, as well as a high level of athleticism, establishing a dominating presence on his football team. A gifted singer, Norwood also participated in Butler College's acapella choir. Following college, Norwood answered the call to serve his country, as he was conscripted into the U.S. Army, November 1956. Norwood continued to flourish on the gridiron, leading the Army's football team, dually enjoying the required travel associated with military enlistment. It was during this time that he married the love of his life, the resplendent and beautiful Grace E. Land, 26 December 1957. Honorably discharged from the U.S. Army November of 1958, Norwood's ardor for athletics and education led him to accept his first teaching position at Burnett High School in Terrell, Texas, during the first half of 1959. Throughout the following seven years, Norwood cultivated his teaching and coaching experience, his education, and his family, with the births of LaDon, Roderick, and Norwood R. He concurrently taught at Allen High School in Laneville, Texas, & C.L. Simon High School in Cushing, Texas, whilst raising a young family, and pursuing graduate studies at Texas Southern University in Houston, and Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches.

In 1966, Norwood moved his family over 900 miles to the northeast, across the Mason-Dixon line, to Xenia, Ohio, where he taught and coached at West Junior High School from 1966 - 1972. Never ceasing, ever pursuant to his love of education, in 1968, Norwood acquired his Masters in Education – Special Education from Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio. In 1969, coaching football, he led the Xenia Bucs to become WOL champions, for which he was inducted into the Xenia Athletic Hall of Fame in 2018. Additionally, in 1972, Norwood obtained a second Masters in Education – Secondary Administration, from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio.

Subsequently, Norwood accepted an Assistant Principal position at Central Junior High School (Xenia, Ohio), wherein he executed with excellence, far exceeding the expectations of his role, from 1972 - 1977. His performance, high standards, erudition, and leadership offered him the opportunity to serve as Principal of Warner Junior High School in Xenia, Ohio, where he led honorably, from 1977, earning the Principal of the Year award in 1986, finally retiring December 1987. By this time, Norwood had taught multiple areas of study; helped nurture and empower thousands of young people; and coached football, wrestling, basketball, baseball, softball, and track. Norwood joined Kiwanis International in 1979, volunteering to perform his civic duty, with pride and distinction for over 44 years, one child and one community at a time. As a devout servant of God, Norwood was a long-term, active member of the Xenia Church of the Nazarene (Xenia, OH). In his spare time, Norwood was particularly fond of farming and gardening, relishing the hot, humid summer haze to work the land, as well as chopping wood all year long, savoring those cold Miami Valley mornings with a hot cup of coffee and a roaring, crackling fire. Norwood was a remarkable, sedulous, and profound man who touched many lives with his kindness, wisdom, and generosity. He dedicated his life to education, leadership, and community service.. He was respected and admired by his colleagues, students, and parents for his professionalism, integrity, and compassion. Norwood loved to travel and explore new places and cultures. He visited all the contiguous states and several countries around the world, including Ireland, China, Bermuda, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico. He enjoyed meeting new people and making friends wherever he went, never meeting a stranger. He was always ready to help someone in need, impart life-changing skills, or have an endearing conversation with anyone. Norwood was a profoundly devoted family man, an archetype patriarch. He is survived by his three children, LaDon, Roderick, and Norwood R.; his seven grandchildren, Daviye, Jonas, Bryce, Sean, Christina, Brooklynn, and Marvis-Marie; his great-grandchildren; his six sisters, Alice Moore, Gloria Edwards, Bettye Perry, Connie Rowe, Evelyn Clemons, and Laverta Warren; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harriett and Willie; his brothers, Hiawatha, Willie Ray, Jr., and Sherman; his sister, Lena Golden; his wife of 65 years, Grace E. Land, and his grandson, Roderick E. Golden, II.

Norwood will be dearly missed by all who knew him. He was an astoundingly exceptional, potent, gifted, and remarkable man who lived through hard work, community, and family. What a blessing it has been to have you here with us. May you bask in the honeyed golden rays of Gloryland for all time.

Private services have been held.