James Landon Norman, of Gloucester, beloved husband, father and grandfather, 83, passed away peacefully at home on June 5, 2011.

He was born Nov. 29, 1927 in Martinsville, Va., to John J. and Edith D. Norman.

At the age of 17, he joined the U.S. Navy at the end of World War II and served for two years. After service, he married his beloved wife, Joan H. Norman. James entered college in the early 1950s and finished his Bachelor of Science in Engineering Mechanics at the University of Florida in May 1958. Upon graduation, he started at Newport News Shipbuilding as a Test Engineer at the beginning of the Nuclear Submarine program, becoming a pioneer in the field of nuclear energy. In 1972, he joined with Westinghouse engineers in the new discipline of building nuclear power generating facilities on barges at the company Offshore Power Systems in Jacksonville, Fla. His final professional years were spent at Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Station in Glen Rose, Texas, as Engineering Project Manager for the facility.

His interests included farming, NASCAR, sailing the Chesapeake Bay and above most, his family.

James is survived by his wife of 63 years, Joan H. Norman, and other family members: oldest son, John J. Norman, wife Elaine M. Norman and granddaughter, Lindsey E. Norman; second son, James B. Norman, wife Beth A. Norman and granddaughters, Maggie and Ellie Norman; youngest son, Jeffery L. Norman.

Our family has lost a valued moral compass that has shown us the right path through life, but heaven has gained a valued engineer.

Services are being held in private and the family wishes that all expressions of sympathy be sent to the local charity of their choice.

Andrews Funeral Home, Gloucester, is in charge of arrangements.