Norman Laroy Hay

Norman Laroy Hay was born on March 26, 1949, in Staten Island, NY, a resident of Theodore, Alabama for 42 years, died Wednesday, June 11, 2025. His final days were spent in Miami following an 8 day cruise on the Caribbean Seas, capping a life that enjoyed adventure. Norman lived many different places as a military child, his favorite childhood home was in Paris, Tennessee, and he enjoyed revisiting the place of memories, love of land, lakes and rivers. He enjoyed reminiscing about his time playing basketball in school and spending time in nature. He worked in ways that fueled his adventurous spirit. At 17, he joined the US Navy, completing 2 tours in Vietnam, participating in Search and Rescue operations as they patrolled the shores to support the US Forces in country, before being honorably discharged. After the Navy, he spent some time on the Oklahoma Rodeo circuit, even gaining a buckle for winning the competition for Bareback Bronco Riding. His working career included Pipe Welding, Shipyards, Oyster Harvesting, Oil Rigging, Haz-Mat Cleanup, and riding the country highways in an 18 Wheeler, where his handle was "Port City IceBerg" to all the other truckers on the road. He eventually owned his own rig, which was the pinnacle of his careered life, before he retired. His hobbies included building and riding motorcycles, going to bike rallies, and participating in local charity rides, where he even rode as Santa Clause for local children's homes, 3 years in a row. He also enjoyed hunting, riding rollercoasters, and Call of Duty, making many friends along the way. He loved going to theme parks and going on cruises with his son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. To his loving and devoted wife, he was a warrior, who stood tall and was the strongest man she had ever known, earning the nickname "Iron Man" in the last years of life. He is preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Esther, and his grandson Colby Brunson. He is survived by his wife, Jeanne Hay; his daughters, Alecia Hay and Heather Gunn (Donnie), his sons Todd Hay and Jonathan Hay (Teresa), and his grandchildren: Alexa, Sierra, Nathan, Jacob, Christopher, Tyron, Finn, Laina, Royal and his great grand-daughter Arya. Funeral services will be held Friday, June 20, 2025 at 3:00 PM from the Chapel of Serenity Funeral Home, 8691 Old Pascagoula Rd. Theodore, Alabama. Visitation will begin Friday afternoon at 1:00 PM. Interment will immediately follow at Serenity Memorial Gardens with full military honors.

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Norman Laroy Hay

March 26, 1949 - June 11, 2025