Bruce Michael Norman passed away in Cumming, Georgia, on June 19, 2026, at the age of 85. Bruce was born in Chicago, Illinois, on June 4, 1941, the son of Lloyd Columbus Norman and Leone Schuster Norman. He grew up in San Jose, California, with his three older siblings, Mary, Joyce, and Bill, and attended Willow Glen High School. Bruce graduated from San Jose State in 1965, where he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega, with a degree in Small Business Administration. After graduation, he worked the night shift at Ford Motor Company, where he spent most of his “working” hours studying for his pilot’s license. He also joined the California Air National Guard.

Bruce was hired by Eastern Airlines in 1966. He was originally based in New York but moved to Miami, where he had the good fortune of living in the same apartment complex as Janice Toon, a Pan Am flight attendant. After a brief courtship, they were married in 1970. While visiting friends in North Georgia shortly after their wedding, they flew over Lake Lanier and fell in love with the area. Although they bought property the very next day, it took several years to finish their house—mainly because Bruce insisted on doing most of the construction himself.

Bruce flew for Eastern for over two decades. In a 1986 article profiling local pilots, the Forsyth County News described him as “tall, trim and physically fit, with silver hair, clear blue eyes and a boyish grin,” and noted that “the 44-year-old Norman has the reassuring, authoritative manner you'd expect from a pilot.” Bruce took pride in his career, telling the interviewer, “I love it. It’s the best job in the world.” He especially enjoyed the opportunity it gave him to travel the world – first with Jan and later with their daughters. He retired from Eastern as a Captain.

Not one to let things go to waste, Bruce eventually used his college degree when he opened Cumming Rent-All, a true “mom-and-pop” shop he started by renting out small machinery from a hardware store parking lot. When the family sold the business in 1997, it had grown to three stand-alone locations renting large construction equipment. Pretty much anyone building during that era of Forsyth’s growth rented at least one machine from Cumming Rent-All.

After living in large cities, Bruce enjoyed the quality of life and friendliness this small Southern town offered. He was an active member of the community. In 1974, Bruce and Jan, along with their two daughters, Jennifer (who goes by Ginger) and Vicki, became founding members of The Church of the Good Shepherd. Vicki was married in the church in 1998, and four of his grandchildren were baptized there. He was a member of the Optimist Club, selling Christmas trees, hosting events, and helping his wife run the Oratorical Contest for many years. He had a passion for singing and theater and appeared in Forsyth County Little Theatre productions. He passed his love of musical theatre down to his children and grandchildren.

After retiring, Bruce spent much of his time on the lake, traveling and taking cruises with Jan, and playing cards with close friends. His hobbies included sailing – whether on Lake Lanier, the Gulf of Mexico, or in the British Virgin Islands – working on classic cars, and building just about anything. But his most defining characteristic was his unwavering devotion to his family. After his sister Joyce passed away, Bruce helped raise her young children, Billy Scholvin and Susan Scholvin Lacey. Even though his daughters moved out of state, Bruce was a constant presence in their lives and in the lives of their children, attending nearly every school and sporting event. He was happiest when he was sitting with his family, telling stories and drinking coffee.

Bruce is survived by his wife, Jan, with whom he shared 56 years of love and partnership. He is survived by his daughters, his sons-in-law, Bryan Davis and Doug Anderson, whom he loved as family, and their children: Taylor, Jackson, Barrett, Maddox, Drew, Dylan, Maddie, and Abby.

Services for Bruce will be held at The Church of the Good Shepherd, 3740 Holtzclaw Road, on Thursday, July 2 at 11:00 am.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 1 from 5:00-7:00 pm at Ingram Funeral Home, 210 Ingram Avenue.

His family invites all to join in celebrating his life and honoring his memory. He is dearly missed.