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David Norvell Obituary

David Lee Norvell



Dave lived a wonderful life. A brilliant man with a brilliant smile, Dave loved his family, all children â€" especially babies and toddlers â€" dogs, politics, the law, cooking, playing and watching both tennis and golf, and piloting his own plane. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma School of Law, and was a lifelong Boomer Sooner fan. Dave approached all challenges with optimism, confidence, and good humor. He was generous in every sense of the word, from taking time for his children and grandchildren, to making time to mentor new attorneys or advise political hopefuls.



As a young State Representative, who served as Majority Leader in his third term and the youngest Speaker ever in his fourth and final term, Norvell was clearly a legislative visionary. He led fights against capital punishment, for higher minimum wages, for a public employee collective bargaining act, for civil rights legislation and court reform. Speaker Norvell was a prime sponsor of the Human Rights Act, creating a commission with enforcement powers. He not only fought to maintain a clean environment, he opposed tax cuts that would have threatened public educational funding.



Norvell was often quoted as saying he did what he thought best for the people of New Mexico, rather than weighing his re-election chances. He liked to relate that when FDR was running for a second term, supporters greeted the President at Madison Square Garden with a huge sign that read, "We Love Him for the Enemies He Has Made." Speaker Norvell observed, "Well, I have made some good enemies lately, and I find it a rather agreeable experience."



In 1970, Norvell ran successfully for Attorney General and distinguished himself in that role. He joined with a number of other states' Attorneys General to oppose the Viet Nam war, hired a record number of women as Assistant AGs. and issued many consequential opinions, such as the protection of the rights of students in public education to speak in their Native languages on campus and for state workers to bargain collectively. Norvell failed in his bid to secure the Democratic nomination for the US Senate in 1972, and, at the end of his term as AG in 1975, decided not to run again for public office.



Dave then began a successful private law practice in Santa Fe, then Albuquerque, representing criminal defendants, plaintiffs with civil rights claims, and patients injured by medical negligence. Dave became a skilled pilot when he flew between Clovis and Santa Fe as a legislator, and often flew all over New Mexico to appear in court, as well to CA to appear before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.



Ultimately, Dave managed to make good colleagues of former adversaries, such as the late Governor David Cargo with whom Norvell sparred while Speaker of the House. Cargo was a guest at the reception following Norvell's marriage to Gail Chasey in October, 2003 in Pendaries, NM, along with the late Governor Richardson.



Dave and Gail met during the late Bill Richardson's campaign for Governor in 2002. Dave had helped Richardson organize a joint caucus of House and Senate Democrats in Pendaries in northern NM after Richardson had secured the nomination. A close family friend, Barbara Gay, arranged for Dave and Gail, then running for her 4th term in the NM House, to meet. They married a year later. Dave enjoyed having that close connection with the NM Legislature again. When Gail was elected House Majority Floor Leader in 2022, Dave reminded her that he had held the same position. She joked that, while Dave was likely the youngest ever to hold that position, she is likely the oldest to do so. Dave has enjoyed supporting many of Gail's legislative priorities, particularly her 10-year effort to repeal the death penalty, which succeeded in 2009. They joined the late Governor Richardson and the late Archbishop Sheehan in a trip to Rome (at their own expense), where the Community of Sant'Egidio arranged for a ceremony, at which Saxophonist Branford Marsalis played "Imagine," as the lights were lit in the Roman Coliseum to celebrate New Mexico's repeal of the death penalty.



Governor Richardson later appointed Dave to the Gaming Control Board, where he served as Chair until 2013, at which time, he resumed practicing law part-time until he retired in 2016. Always well-informed and fascinated by politics, Dave devoured the New York Times, which has long been delivered to his home daily, regularly read the New Yorker and the NM Bar Bulletin. He rarely missed the national news or important Congressional hearings on TV.



To the end, Dave was always kind, gracious, and managed to be the funniest one in the room. The night of the Winter Solstice, he died peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family and beloved dogs.



Born in Kansas City, MO, on January 31, 1935, David was raised in Bartlesville, OK, the only child of Kenneth and Mildred Norvell. He was predeceased by his second child David Jr, who died in 2005, and by the mother of his children, Mary Vivian (Marivee) Trentman Norvell, with whom Dave shared a warm relationship following their divorce in 1991, after 34 years of marriage.



David is survived by his four children, Teresa Norvell of San Diego and Las Vegas, NV, Felicia Norvell of Santa Fe, Connie Beers of Las Vegas, NV, and Jack Norvell of Edgewood, and "the older grandchildren," Hayden Beers, of Las Vegas, NV, Trentman (Trent) Norvell, of Richardson, TX, and Nicole (Nikki) Norvell, of Santa Fe. David was not only a prominent figure in public service to the people of New Mexico but was an amazing presence in the lives of his children and grandchildren. He was witty, loving, and supportive of all their endeavors. They will all fondly remember the times they had, especially wonderful visits to the second home in Pendaries Village where the focus was always on family, togetherness, and enjoying the New Mexico landscape. Other survivors are Dave's cousin Glenn Norvell and wife LeAnne of San Diego, Dave's children's cousins: Dr. Greg Jochems, his wife Mindy, their sons Andy and Lou (ABQ); Ted Jochems and Leonard Jochems, (Wichita, KS), Rita Ann Allessie (MI), and Betsy Barnes (PA).



Dave's wife of 20 years, Gail Chasey, and her family all loved and adored Dave â€" son Garrett Beam, wife Lindsay, of San Diego; and son Tyler Beam, wife Anna, of Parker, CO; and "the younger grandchildren," Makena and Kaiyan (CA), Lucy and George (CO) for whom Dave was their "Papa;" Gail's brothers, Don Chasey and wife Ann of Ashland, OR, niece Niabi Chasey Williams and children Jade Mahalia Scott and Dario Williams of Ft. Mill, S.C. and nephew Colin Chasey of Portland, OR; and Jim Chasey of Idaho, nephew Patrick Flanagan (NZ), Patrick's mother Margaret Flanagan (NZ), along with the extended families of Gail's cousins, Kelly Sifferman, Kathy, and Tom Allen (PHX) and Diana, Allen, Mark, and Bob Obrinsky (CA, MD, OR).



The family wishes to thank those who provided such loving care to Dave and support to his family â€" Presbyterian Hospice and Sabrina Durr of Visiting Angels. Dave also enjoyed visits and outings with faithful friends John Schoeppner and Julianna Koob. The family thanks countless extended family and friends for their presence or their messages of love and condolences upon learning of Dave's passing.



David Norvell will lie in State at the Capitol Rotunda at noon on January 12, 2024 in Santa Fe. Speaker of the House Javier Martinez will preside, and, following Governor Lujan Grisham, former Democratic Speakers of the House will also offer remarks â€" Raymond Sanchez, Ken Martinez, and Brian Egolf.



There will be a Celebration of Life for David at 2:00 PM, Saturday, January 13, 2024 at the Cathedral of St. John in Albuquerque. The Rev. Canon Carole McGowan will officiate. A reception will follow.



In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in memory or honor of David Norvell to any of the following organizations: Equal Access to Justice, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, Albuquerque Healthcare for the Homeless, Animal Humane NM, Animal Protection Voters, ACLU New Mexico, or Conservation Voters of NM.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Albuquerque Journal on Jan. 7, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for David Norvell

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4 Entries

Ronnie Lopez

February 2, 2024

Mr Norvell thank you for all your help and support over the years you provided for myself and my family. My condolences to the family. RIP Mr Norvell.
Ronnie Lopez

Margaret Dunivan

January 16, 2024

Thank you for being a good friend of our family. God bless you. You will be missed.

Geraldine Rivera

January 13, 2024

Condolences to Gail and the Norvell and Chasey families.

Clara Padilla Andrews

January 12, 2024

My deepest sincere condolences to the family and friends of the Honorable David Norvell. Rest In Peace!

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Memorial Events
for David Norvell

Jan

12

Lying in State

12:00 p.m.

Capitol Rotunda

NM

Jan

13

Celebration of Life

2:00 p.m.

Cathedral of St. John

Albuquerque, NM

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