Barry Lampkin Norman 'Studmuffiin'

Barry Norman's earthbound journey came to an end on February 28, 2014, after fighting an insidious cancer, multiple myeloma, for 39 months. His daughter and wife were by his side when he died. Barry Lumpkin Norman was born May 9, 1952, in Amarillo Texas, to M. Taylor and Beverly L. Norman. He was the third of three siblings after older brothers Taylor and Gary. Barry graduated Amarillo High School and attended his 40th reunion in the fall of 2010. Upon learning he had cancer, one of his goals was to attend his 50th high school reunion. His Oncologist stated that that was an optimistic yet unrealistic goal. Barry joked in his final days saying, "Doc, I hate it when you are right and I am wrong" Barry's humor and optimism shone through almost until the last day of his life. After graduating from high school, Barry went to Amarillo College as an art student on a football scholarship. Barry then attended Stephen F. Austin University as a forestry major. In between college stints Barry worked at the Wood Shed, a gift shop his parents owned in the Las Tiendas shopping center in Amarillo. Barry would eventually return to college at the University of Texas in Austin where he received a B.F.A. in Studio Art. In August of 1976 Barry met the love of his life, Holly Warren, in Amarillo, Texas. When asked what he looked for in a life partner he responded "A woman who could enjoy a museum during the day and be camping out that night." Two years later with a span of nine days, they decided to get married and moved to Austin. They would reside in and around Austin for the next 35 1/2 years until his death. Barry loved his family more than anything. He took great pleasure in watching his son play soccer for eleven years and his daughter play volley ball for 5 years. His job as a picture- framer and retail sales person at Deck the Walls allowed him the time and the freedom to drive his kids to after school practices, attend weekend games in and out of town and become well-acquainted with select sports and other school families. Barry's real passion was his art! In his early years he painted realistic watercolors of Texas and New Mexico landscapes. In college his oil paintings were of the oil and gas industry. In 2008 he started carving and creating three dimensional art work with "found" pieces. In the mid -1980's Barry's dream was owning his own art gallery, State of the Arts came to fruition in Wimberley, Texas. He loved this two year period of working and living on 26 acres on the Blanco River in Wimberley. Since the age of 3 Barry has spent his summers in New Mexico where his family built a cabin retreat. He tried to get up there as often as he could after moving to Austin. "Studmuffiin" enjoyed sharing his childhood memories with his family on their hikes around and through the Enchanted Circle. Later in life, Barry discovered disc golf, where he would play the many disc golf courses Austin had to offer. He eventually joined Twin Parks Country Club, a private disc golf country club in Dripping Springs. He also enjoyed playing in the Zilker Park Disc Golf League. Barry was preceded in death by his father M. Taylor Norman Sr. and mother Beverly A. (Lumpkin) Norman. He is survived by his wife Holly and children Aaron and Brianna of Austin and brothers Taylor Norman Jr. of Amarillo and Gary Norman of Fort Worth and their families. Many nieces, nephews and cousins on all sides of the family were graced by Barry's unique sense of humor. "Studmuffiin" had many deep and close friendships, far too many to count or mention, but they know who they are and could share many a story about him and their adventures together. There will be a celebration of Barry's life so that his friends and family will have a chance to bid him farewell, on May 8th at 10:30am. It will be held at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 2620 S. Congress Ave. Austin Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Caring Bridge at http://www.caringbridge.org under hollywarrennorman in Barry Norman's memory or to the Barry Norman Memorial Fund at: A+ Federal Credit Union, P. O. Box 14867, Austin, TX 78761-4867.