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Charles "Charley Thunder Blood" Norris

Charles "Charley Thunder Blood" Norris

October 21, 1963 ~ February 6, 2023 (age 59)

Charles "Charley Thunder Blood" Norris, age 59, of Red Lake, MN, travelled to the spirit world on Monday, February 6, 2023. A traditional wake will begin at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, February 10, 2023, at the Old Little Rock Community Center and continue until the service at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, February 11, 2023, with Jason Hart as spiritual leader. Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery in Red Lake. A full obituary will follow shortly. Arrangements provided by Whispering Pines Funeral & Cremation Service of Walker & Hackensack, MN.

Charles "Charley Thunderblood" Norris began his journey to the spirit world on Monday, February 6, 2023, at his home in Big Stone, MN. His spirit name is Makwa (Bear), and his namesake is the late Shorty Roberts.

Charley, a member of the Bear clan, was born on October 21, 1963, to devoted parents Alberta and William Norris in Chicago, Illinois. When Charley was very young, his family moved home to Minnesota. He earned his high school diploma at South High School in Minneapolis, where he excelled in basketball. He went on to play for Haskell Indian Nations University.

As a child, Charley's dad would take him to the Minneapolis auditorium to watch AWA wrestling. This began his lifelong dream of becoming a professional wrestler. In 1988, he began training with Eddie Sharkey. His first match was on December 8, 1988. He weighed in at 285 lbs and stood tall at 6'6". In 1993 he began wrestling with the World Championship Wrestling (WCW). He was a five-time PWA champion and two-time PWA tag-team champion.

During his wrestling career, Charley traveled all over the USA, Japan, New Guinea, and more. He was a five-time undefeated tag-team champion with Sam Houston in Japan, where they traveled together as the Renegades. Charley wrestled in WWF, WCW, and the Independent Circuit. After a semi-retirement from his wrestling career, he worked as a personal trainer at the Red Lake Fitness Center. Throughout Charley's wrestling career, he was crowned many times by many organizations.

Along with his tag team partner, Sam Houston, he had several successful undefeated tours. Having been around the world several times, Charley was an accomplished world traveler and ambassador for his people, spreading joy and butt-whippings. He and Sam also did humanitarian work, mainly in children's hospitals, to visit with the kids.

Charley's positive and uplifting spirit influenced many lives. His impact was immense. Those who were lucky to meet and know him experienced the incredible reach of his influence firsthand. He filled up every room he entered with fun and laughter. He was always a helper who worked to make a positive difference in and outside his community. To know Charley was to be his friend. He always left those he visited feeling lighter, inspired, and stronger. He reached out to his loved ones daily, always greeting them with a big bear hug.

Charley's creativity was expressed through many interests. He was an avid reader and skilled beader. He loved music, especially classic rock. He admired artists David Allen Coe and Johnny Cash. He loved fishing in Red Lake, taking long car rides, and visiting with friends and family. Charley was a proud father and grandfather. He was fiercely protective of his mother, whom he cared for until he passed. They enjoyed going to the casino together every week.

Charley's larger-than-life spirit made him a legend and a cherished friend, brother, son, and uncle. He will be deeply missed.

Charley is welcomed into the spirit world by Father William Norris, Maternal Grandparents Mary and Robert Bedeau, Nephews Andrew Bongo and Robert (Bob) Barrett, and Beloved Dogs Mertle and Gurt.

He leaves behind his Mother, Alberta Norris; Daughter Lucy Norris, Granddaughter Luna Mae Vue; Sisters Karen Barrett, Linda Bedeau, Valerie Norris, and Sharon Norris; Brothers Arnold Wood and Sam Houston; several nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and his wrestling family.

Pallbearers: Sam Houston, Thomas Barrett Jr., Oscar Arredondo, Jamie Mangen, Keith Bedeau, Donovan Williams, Randy Gusto, Mike Thunder, Wellington Wilkins, Victor Roy Jr.

Honorary pallbearers: Dave Downwind, Oscar Spears, Eddie Sharkey, Terry Benais, Kim Schoenborn, Robbie Thunder, Barb Bedeau, Chris Bedeau, Darryl Goose, Mary Jane Fayant, Dana Arcoren, Rhona Wipf, Linda Donnell, Neoka Roybal, Georgianna Jourdain, and the rest of his wrestling family.

A traditional wake will begin at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, February 10, 2023, at the Old Little Rock Community Center and continue until the service at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, February 11, 2023, with Jason Hart as spiritual leader. Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery in Red Lake. Arrangements provided by Whispering Pines Funeral & Cremation Service of Walker & Hackensack, MN.

Services

Traditional Wake

Friday

February 10, 2023

2:00 PM

Little Rock Community Center

Highway 1

Red Lake, MN 56671

Traditional Funeral Service

Saturday

February 11, 2023

10:00 PM

Little Rock Community Center

Highway 1

Red Lake, MN 56671

 

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