TRIER, GERMANY — James I. Norman Sr., 77, died Thursday, Aug. 25, 2016, at Lanstuhl Hospital after a brief illness of lung cancer and many complications.

Born in Naples on Jan. 19, 1939, Jim was the son of Charlie and June Norman. He attended local schools and then joined the U.S. Air Force and served for 27 years, retiring in 1983. His first tour of duty was Germany, where he met and married Erika Castillini, enjoying 59 years together. After retiring from the Air Force, he went to work for an American-based company out of Colorado Springs, Colo., for 18 years, before retiring permanently to Trier, Germany. He was a very kind, loving and compassionate man, who deeply loved his family.

He was predeceased by his brothers, Paul Leighton, Fred Norman and Craig Norman.

He is survived by his beloved wife Erika; sons, William of Trier and James Jr. of Calif.; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; four sisters, Jeanne Tenney, Marcia Tripp and DeaDea Robbins, all of Naples, and Margie Webber of Beverly Hills, Fla.

A military-based service is planned with burial at a local cemetery near their home in Trier.