Norman Douglas Lathrop, 68, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at UT Medical Center, with his wife and daughters present.
Norm was born in Hammond, Indiana to Charles Sumner and Marilyn Francis Lathrop on July 14, 1956. He spent his childhood at Sharon Center, Ohio with his siblings Brian Keith Lathrop and Joyce Ellen Lathrop Davis. He graduated from Highland High School in Medina County, Ohio. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering at the University of Kentucky. He was a mechanical engineer for over 30 years, specializing in jet engines, steam, and gas turbines.
Norm loved spending time with his family. He married Patricia Jo Akers Lathrop on June 21, 1980. He often took his children, Jennifer Joy Lathrop, Aimee Elizabeth Lathrop Woodin, and Robert Michael Lathrop on hiking adventures and various museums. He was a doting “Poppop” to Sierra Mae Woodin and Sawyer Robert Woodin whom he entertained with stories of his adventures and those of his children.
Norm was a man of diverse passions. He explored history, expressed himself through drawing and storytelling, found solace in hiking, and captured beauty through photography. After retiring in 2014, he embarked on a journey to visit every U.S. National Park, successfully completing those in the contiguous United States and Hawaii, along with several in Alaska. His keen eye captured breathtaking landscapes, earning him photography awards. He also dedicated years to crafting detailed Civil War uniforms for 1/6 scale action figures. During the pandemic, he discovered a love for woodworking, creating cherished items for family and friends.
A devout follower of Jesus Christ, Norm shared his faith through teaching Junior High Sunday School, leading Bible studies, and engaging in thoughtful discussions about scripture. In his final days, his deepest longing was to walk and converse with the Lord in His garden.
He expressed profound gratitude for the compassionate care provided by the doctors, nurses, and staff at UT Medical Center, who diligently worked to extend his life.
Norm wanted everyone to know that he fought as hard as he could to survive the cancer. He appreciated all the prayers and good thoughts of his family, friends, and people he did not know. He was amazed and humbled by the love shown by so many.
Norm’s absence will be deeply felt by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the National Park Service, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or another charity of your choice.
Yesterday, we had a Celebration of Life service for Norm. It all went beautifully. We displayed some of his artwork, photos, and some artwork by his granddaughter, Sierra.
Several stood to share what Norm had meant to them, and stories of his humor, his storytelling, and his dedication to the Lord. My children spoke of how great he was as a father. His friends spoke of his living life to the fullest and how he encouraged them.
I didn’t speak…couldn’t trust myself to keep it together. But I loved hearing how he ministered and cared for the people around him. After the service, several who had prayed for Norm, but never met him, wished they had met him.
I am amazed that I was able to get through the day. I have a theory: When we come together to honor someone who has died, I think God takes the grief that would fall on the family and spreads it out among all who attend, or who had desired to attend, because the grief on that day would be too much for the spouse or child to bear alone.
I know that the continued prayers of family and friends are giving me the strength I need to get through these first few weeks. There is so much that needs to be done. It’s overwhelming at times.
But the tears are flowing easier now. My family has been a real blessing, my children and siblings have made sure I’m not alone. Twenty-one of us went to one of Norm’s favorite restaurants for lunch, Hot Rods in Alcoa, TN. It was a great time together.
I feel his loss…I cry for me, he’s much better off, walking in the garden with the Lord. God still has more for me here.
I read Norm’s pondering while he was in the midst of chemo, and it looked like he was going to survive and be able to get out and do. His question, “What will I do with my extra days?”
As I continue on this road as a widow, it is a question for my own life. “What will I do with the days that God has granted me?”
He who watches the wind will not sow and he who looks at the clouds will not reap.
Just as you do not know the path of the wind and how bones are formed in the womb of the pregnant woman, so you do not know the activity of God who makes all things.
Sow your seed in the morning and do not be idle in the evening, for you do not know whether morning or evening sowing will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good.
Ecclesiastes 11:4-6
Where’s the joy?
I am thankful for all the people who came to Norm’s Celebration of Life, to share what they knew of Norm, or to support me and my family in this time of grief.
I pray for wisdom to walk this path, allowing myself to grieve, but not to shut myself off from the people whom God will place in my path, either for my benefit, or theirs.
I rejoice that God’s plan is good and He will be faithful to me and my family as we walk this path of grief.
Where’s the joy? I find joy in the people that God has placed in my life, family and friends, and others I have not met as yet.
TRICIA LATHROP 