Private family services for Lafayette Norwood, 86, Lawrence, will be broadcast at https://www.facebook.com/RumseyYostFuneralHomeandCrematory at 2 pm, on Monday, January 11, 2021.
A celebration of his life will happen when friends and extended family can attend.
Lafayette Norwood was born September 12, 1934 in Clearview, OK. He was the second child of Bernice and Evalue (Chatman) Norwood. He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at the age of 12. He united with Ninth Street Baptist Church after moving to Lawrence in 1977. He followed with becoming a charter member of Victory Bible Church from 1983 until his Homegoing, serving as church treasurer until January, 2000.
At an early age and continuing throughout his adult life, Lafayette embraced a strong awareness of the power of giving of self, being blessed with a strong Christian father and mother who taught him that the “the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 1:17) and that he should give God the glory in all that he did. It was from these kinds of teachings that the framework, designing, and planning of his entire life took shape, realizing that it was not his will but God’s will that would be done.
After graduating from Wichita East High School he attended Arkansas City (now Cowley County) Junior College, where he met and married the former Betty Ann White. He then completed his degree at Southwestern College in Winfield, KS, followed by a Master’s Degree at Wichita State. Lafayette and Betty, who died in May, 2010 had four children. Daughters Fayetta and Sherri Lynn preceded him in death. His son Seth died in May, 2011. He is survived by his son, Cory. He is also survived by his wife Patricia; grandchildren, Alexius, Akeshia, Ashlyn, and Janae; brother Gerald; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, relatives, and friends.
Lafayette taught and coached in the Wichita school system for 18 years before accepting the position of assistant basketball coach at the University of Kansas in 1977, under head coach Ted Owens. Following four years at KU he accepted the head coaching position at Johnson County Community College. During Summers he coached Middle School and High School Boys AAU basketball teams throughout metropolitan Kansas City. Nurturing a positive, family unit was the emphasis of his daily life, having learned that a true love of God makes love for family and natural experience.
He would like to issue this challenge: To please God you must serve him with all your heart, mind, and soul. He would wish that all young and old would use this moment of reflection to make sure you put God first and in “all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.” Lafayette truly believed that this understanding was the foundation of his life, which we celebrate today. If you feel he touched your life in some way and you enjoyed being a part of his, keep him alive by giving to others, and he will live forever.
The family suggests donations to the Norwood Childrens Educational Fund as a memorial to Lafayette’s love of family and education. Memorials sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, PO Box 1260, Lawrence, KS, 66044.
Online condolences made at rumsey-yost.com
We are very saddened by the passing of Lafeyette. He was a wonderful mentor, teacher, coach and friend. He will truly be missed by all. Our sincere condolences to the Norwood family. Gerald and Rachel please stay encouraged.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Norwood family. Coach was a huge part of my life and will be dearly missed. We should all be grateful that we got to have a relationship with this wonderful man.
My heart breaks at the passing of Mr. Norwood. He has a very special place in my heart and has always treated me like one of his grandchildren. Love you and you will be missed but not forgotten. Love you Ms. Pat, Cory, Akeshia, Lex, Ashland and Jaene.
Kind man
So sadden by the news of Mr. Norwood passing. I cherish the many times the Bonds family shared much laughter, good times with wonderful friends.
On behalf of our team at Business Career Services at KU, we are sending prayers of peace, love, and healing to the entire Norwood family. We know that Lafayette played a significant, positive and lasting role in the lives of Ashlyn and Janae. That he will be missed so deeply is a testament of his love and impact as a grandfather.
We were sorry to hear of Lafayette’s passing. We enjoyed his friendship over the years and some great basketball discussions over dinner. He made great contributions to many young people in and around Kansas. Prayers for all during this difficult time.
I am truly sorry to hear of Lafayette’s passing. I first met him in Wichita in 1974 and we continued our freindship in Lawrence. He was a good guy who always thought firsy of others and especially youngsters. He will be missed.
My husband and I were students with Laffy at Southwestern College, all graduating in 1956. My husband, Eldon (Pud) Milburn played center on the Southwestern basketball team where Laffy was point guard and led them to the NAIA National Tournament in Kansas City in Municipal Auditorium in 1955. Laffy was a role model even in college and we were proud to call him a lifelong friend. We knew Betty and got to meet Pat a couple of times. Family was so important to Laffy, and the basis for all his energy and love. Condolences to you all.
I am truly sorry for your lost. I too will miss Layfette. I can think of no other man that represented Christ here on earth as well as he did. He was a terrific person. I was honored to know him
Lafayette really loved life and always brightened my day with his smile. I am truly sorry for your loss.
Coach Norwood was a friend and mentor! I will remember his smile when he saw you. He was also a great coach , and leader of men. Rest
In peace Coach. Never to be forgotten!?
Sorry to hear of Coach Norwood’s passing. He was a positive figure in the halls of Heights High School. He not only expected the best out of his players, he expected the best out of all students as well. It was an honor to be a part of the cheering section and witness his coaching career while at WHHS. Praying for the family.
Our cousin is gone from us but definitely he will not be forgotten. We will miss his impromptu visit, his athletic support of my grandchildren, and the family history he loved sharing. He was one of the last relatives who lived with my dad as a youngster. We are going to miss him.
It was my honor to be an assistant to Coach Norwood at WHHS. He taught me a lot about basketball. He not only mentored me, but also the students he coached and taught. The “Team” is a family was a strong theme. Play defense first. I could name many other phrases I learned. He will always be the kind of coach others should look up to. He will be missed.
Coach Lafayette Norwood was a pleasure to be around. Always smiling. During his years coaching at KU his kindness to young reporters will never be forgotten. His smile was the best. Rest in peace, coach Lafayette Norwood.
So sorry for your loss. Mr. Norwood was a wonderful man. He will be greatly missed in the community. I went to school with Seth and waited on him for years. Again very sorry for your loss. Prayers.
I had the great pleasure and privilege to have Lafayette as a client for many, many years. One thing I will never forget about him is that he was always so upbeat with a smile on his face. He will certainly be missed by all that knew him. Rest In Peace, Lafayette.
Coach Norwood was a very special man…I was blessed to write a book about one of his many successes- his engineering of the 1977 Wichita Heights basketball team as both a talented and cohesive unit; clearly it was divine providence for him to mentor that team at that time…I was one of those folks who later committed my life to Jesus and can now look back fondly as people like Coach played no small part in a Godly influence on others…I will see you in the perfection of our Lord’s glorious heaven!
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Norwood Family! Lafayette was a true gentleman, and always was nice to me and my Family as we sat next to each other in Allen Fieldhouse for years! When we as a Family would arrive to the games he would always stand up and shake my hand and welcome us and always ask if we were ok! He will be missed!
Our best and may he rest In Peace!
My prayers are with the Norwood family. I worked with coach and he was such a Godly man. I so enjoyed our talks about KU basketball and life in general and they will always be with me. Such a special friend!
Growing up in Ark City I knew Norwood when he attended JUCO , played Sports and Married Betty. He was inducted in the Cowley County Hall of fame with my brother Melburn Brown.I was so happy to see him at team mate Marcellus Duckett Celebration of Life with his wife Patricia. My thoughts and prayers are with Patricia and family members. Kansas has lost a great ICON. We share your grief and will also miss Lafayette.
Mr. Norwood was my 1st Physical Ed teacher at Isley Elementary in the mid 1960’s. We did not have a gym so in the winter mats were placed in the hallway for a limited time and he taught us floor gymnastics. In the spring he taught us track and the relays on Mathewson Hill became a community event to attend. Mr. Norwood was caring and encouraged us to do our best; quite an inspirational motivator.
Rest Well coach you have left your legacy for all to see! Nothing more needs to be said! I enjoyed the mentor ship you gave to me and so many others. God Bless The Norwood Family! ??
Rest in Peace, Coach Norwood. I was fortunate to play for his summer AAU basketball team in KC for multiple years growing up. What a great man, mentor, and coach. The life lessons he taught me and other young athletes are innumerable. I later played football at the University of Nebraska and remember always wanting to play well to make him proud. He has made a huge impact on my life and will be missed by many.
My family and I followed the Ark City JUCO team all over the state so we could see every stunning movement by Lafayette and Linwood Burns. They demonstrated such magic. I’ve seen Lafayette’s name through the years but was always too shy to reach out. Why would he care about a screaming pre-teen from long ago who was now an old lady? But I never forgot the thrill of watching him play. Those two tore up the floor as they won game after game. I hope they are now meeting again to share their memories.
coach will definitely be missed by many and i sure enjoyed our conversations about basketball he was a great man my sympathies to the family.
God bless my golf coach, was a great free thrower to. Rest in peace. Heights class ’72
So sorry for your loss and ours. Loffy was a great man and will be missed but never forgotten. Prayers for Cory, Pat and the rest of the family.
Missing you Uncle Layfette! Love you always!
Shelly
Love to Cory and family. Coach was a great man.