Michael Jimmy Norvell of Doylestown, PA passed away unexpectedly on Friday April 6, 2018. He was 76.

Michael and his younger sister Mary Kathleen were both born in Carrolton, Texas and lived their entire childhoods in Arlington with their parents Harold G. Norvell and Jimmie Norvell Derr. After graduating from Arlington High School, Michael entered the United States Marine Corps as a member of the Marine Reserve. During his time with the Marines, Michael worked as an airplane mechanic. He went on to pursue his undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University, where he earned a B.S. in Zoology in 1965. In 1970, Michael completed a PhD at Cornell University in the area of Poultry Science. While attending graduate school, Michael met his future wife, Jane Morphett. They married in 1966 and had two daughters, Amanda and Joanna.

Michael worked as a toxicologist for most of his life. During his career, Michael worked at the United States Public Health Service, the Food and Drug Administration, the National Center for Toxicological Research and the National Institute for Health and Environmental Sciences (NIHES). In addition, Michael also worked in the private sector at FMC Corporation and Pepsi Co., among others. In the 1990s, Michael started his own consulting business, MJ Norvell Associates, and continued in this capacity until his death.

Michael’s interests and hobbies were varied. He was a long time member of a German Conversation group, and he enjoyed hiking and walking the trails at Lake Galena in Peace Valley Park. In recent months, Michael had joined the Veterans Pathway Program at the Central Bucks Family YMCA.

Michael was a loving and devoted son, husband, father and grandfather. He was preceded in death by his father Harold, his mother Jimmie and his sister Kathy. In addition to his wife Jane and daughters Amanda Norvell and Joanna Hunt, Michael is survived by his sons-in-law Steven McMahon and Drew Hunt and five grandchildren, Madalyn, Brandon and Aidan Hunt and Charlie and Henry McMahon.

A memorial service will be held at Trinity Buckingham Church, 2631 Durham Road, Buckingham, PA 18912 on Saturday, May 19th at 10:00 am. A reception will follow in Faith Hall immediately after the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Veterans Pathway Program at the Central Bucks Family YMCA in Doylestown would be appreciated. Please send contributions, payable to Central Bucks Family YMCA, 2500 Lower State Road, Doylestown, PA 18901 c/o Shannon Connolly.

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