Obituary of Norris Merrill Remson

Peacefully, on Sunday, May 14, 2023, Norris Merrill “Buddy” Remson passed into the arms of our Lord as his cherished wife of 63 years, Ilona, and beloved daughter, Leah, were at his bedside.

Born in Washington, DC on August 22, 1938, Buddy was the son of the late Worthington Merrill and Margaret Beatrice (Ball) Remson. He was also pre-deceased by a brother, Robert Rodney Remson, and his wife, Rosita.

Buddy will be fondly remembered as a devoted son, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His children, Leah, Phillip (Jill), and Lana (Earl) grieve his loss but celebrate the love and great joy he brought into their lives. His grandchildren - Shawna (Kelly) Beamer, Desirae and Austin Pack, Kyle, Kevin and Tyler (“T.J.”) Remson, and great-grandchildren, Logan, Lilly, and Liam Beamer will treasure their many memories of him.

Always a dedicated and hard-worker, Buddy was a Chief Engineer for most of his life in the Washington, DC area. His last position was Building Manager at Old Port Cove, in North Palm, Beach, FL, where he and Ilona had relocated in 2000. Upon retirement, Buddy and Ilona moved to Young Harris, GA where they enjoyed the solitude of its remote small town, and the varieties of wildlife including bears, deer, skunks, raccoons, and birds, many which they fed and loved to photograph. Recently, Buddy and Ilona had resettled in Columbia, SC in the home of their daughter, Leah.

A 1957 graduate of Bladensburg High School in Prince Georges County, MD, Buddy will also be dearly missed by the many life-long friends he cultivated there, as well as countless others he met while an active member of Mount Oak Church in Bowie, MD. His array of friendships was so enduring and meaningful that his children grew up with the children of his high school friends, often in the same neighborhoods or towns. Social activities with them included ski-trips, nine years of summer getaways to Wolfeboro, NH, an annual Christmas-Eve gathering, and investing in a vacation home in Ocean City, MD where the name of the property was officially G.W. BREW – the clever combination of the six family names involved in the venture. The children of the friends he essentially grew up with have always called him “Uncle Buddy”, and will miss his humor, energy, and love for them as well.

A memorial service, and celebration of Buddy’s life will be relayed as soon as arrangements are finalized. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Kentland Volunteer Fire Department where Buddy & family have a history. Please visit www.kentland33.com and click on the "Donate" button. This will redirect you to a secure donation platform where you can enter the desired donation amount.

To donate by check, kindly make the check payable to "Kentland 33" and include "In Memory of Buddy" in the memo line. Checks can be mailed to 7701 Landover Rd, Landover, MD 20785

South Carolina Cremation Society is assisting the family. Family and friends may sign the online guest book by clicking on the “Tribute Wall” tab above.