Norman Robert Abbott died June 13, 2008 at his home in Oklahoma City. He was born in Chicago, Illinois on July 28, 1920 to Thomas Oscar Abbott and Eda Schnell Abbott. He graduated from high school in El Dorado, Arkansas, after which he attended El Dorado Junior College and the University of Arkansas. Mr. Abbott proudly and courageously served his country during World War II as a Thunderbird with the 45th Division, 179th Infantry Regiment, which fought its way from Sicily, Anzio, Italy, France, and Germany, ending the war in Munich, where his company was billeted in the apartment formerly occupied by Adolph Hitler. He was awarded the Bronze Star and five battle stars. Following his discharge, Mr. Abbott married Doris Jacobsen in Tulsa, Oklahoma on October 20, 1945. He entered law school at the University of Arkansas and graduated Juris Doctor in 1947. After general practice of law, he was employed in the Land Department of Lion Oil Company, which became the Petroleum and Exploration Division of Monsanto Chemical Company. After 23 years with Monsanto, he joined Cheyenne Petroleum Company and retired in 1982 as Executive Vice President. Mr. Abbott is survived by his wife, Doris, and by two daughters, Karen Abbott of Denver, Colorado, and Adrienne Voit and her husband Gary T. Voit of Houston, Texas, and one son, Norman Abbott, Jr. of Edmond, Oklahoma. He also is survived by six grandchildren: Allison and Stephen Bailey, of Denver, Colorado Elizabeth Craig and husband Collin Craig, and Ashley Ferrer and husband Dale Ferrer, all of Houston, Texas Justin Abbott of Oklahoma City, and Dane Abbott and his wife Lisa Abbott, of Edmond. He was preceded in death by his parents his sister, Helen Abbott Stephenson, and his brother, Thomas O. Abbott, Jr. A memorial service to celebrate Mr. Abbott's life will be held at Vondel L. Smith & Son North Colonial Chapel on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at 2:00 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to Mercy Hospice, 4401 W. Memorial Road, Suite 143, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73134. "Whatever destiny may hold in store for our great country and however long that country's military history may continue, readers in the future will search long before finding a chapter more brilliant than that written by the quill that was dipped in the blood of the Thunderbirds." -Quote from the farewell address by Commanding General H.J.D. Meyer.

.Published in The Oklahoman on June 16, 2008