Norman Francis LeClair

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Norman Francis LeClair, a lot of people knew him as friend but to more than a handful (seven to be exact) he was known as Grandpa, three lucky children along with their spouses knew him as Dad, and one special person, Cecelia, knew him as "Hon" (short for honey) for 52 years. Norman LeClair came into this world on Dec. 21, 1936, the same way he went out on Oct. 5, 2009, at St. Anthony's Hospital, with his boots on. It is difficult to sum up Norm's life or really any person's life for that matter in just a few sentences or paragraphs when you realize this person raised himself up by his own bootstraps to go from trying to provide for his family by working several jobs as a welder and musician in Youngstown, Ohio, to a national award winning General Manager and successful business co-owner of one of the largest Ford truck dealerships in the U.S. located in Atlanta, Ga. Self-made leaves a lot unsaid to describe this man and I wish Paul Harvey was here so he could tell you "the rest of the story" because oh what a story it is. How do you summarize a man who has hunted wild game on 3 continents from elephants, cape buffalo in South Africa and dove in South America to bear, elk, antelope, quail, pheasant (you get my point) in just about every place in North America? The wall of trophies that gather dust and litter already overworked bookshelves now sit behind pictures of grand kids playing every sport imaginable to just sitting with a huge smile on their face on a rocking horse he made just for them. Too numerous to list, they encompass decades of awards from "invitation only" hunts ranging from the Governor's One Shot Antelope Hunt in Lander, Wyoming to the Grand National Waterfowl Hunt on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay. Hunting was one of his passions but as in all things in his life, balance was just as important to Norm so he hand crafted over 1000 duck boxes and donated them so that what he took with his passion was replaced 100 times over. This same philosophy was prevalent in all his efforts (fundraising for the Water for Wildlife Association, etc.) and in his eyes was just a natural part of being a true sportsman. The Bible tells us not to judge a man as that is God's job and frankly I am thankful it is. Norm would say it is better left to God and He knows best even though we don't see eye to eye all the time. They say the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree and if you were to ask his 3 children that, they would all look you straight in the eye as they were taught and say "yes sir, you're right" and also mention "that description is alright by us." Whenever anyone was trying to raise money for a children's charity, had a special project for All Children's Hospital or really anything that entailed helping kids, Norm's hand was the first to go up. Of course, it was then best to get out of the way because nothing was going to stop him from reaching the goal of getting those kids what they needed along with a little extra "just in case." When times were tough, Norm was always known for saying "hang in there." Well Norm, the world just got a little tougher with you leaving it but we will do our best to hang in there. We will honor Norm's life on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 3 p.m., at Saint Andrews Church in Roswell, Ga. Reception to follow in the church's Family Center. In lieu of flowers, his family prefers memorial donations may be made to All Children's Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 3142, St. Petersburg, FL 33731 (or www.allkids.org) or to One Shot Past Shooter, Norman LeClair Scholarship Fund, One Shot Office, 545 West Main Street, Lander, WY 82520. Friends may share memories and condolences in the family's personalized, on-line Guestbook at www.AndersonMcQueen.com.