Norman Lee Gustitis

Colonel Norman Gustitis passed away January 8, 2024.  He was the son of Margaret and Michael Gustitis.  He was born in Scobey, Montana in 1934.  Norman graduated from Scobey High School.  He graduated from West Point Military Academy and married Marie (Toni) McCue in 1958.  He was commissioned as a 2nd LT of Armor and Army Aviation. They raised four children.  He was on many tours besides Vietnam where he flew helicopters.

He retired from United Airlines after 25 years of service as a Captain in 1994.  He settled on a farm in White Pine, Tennessee before moving to Maryville and then Loudon. During his retirement, he enjoyed volunteering at the Community Food Connection, reading to elementary students at a local school and driving Veterans to the VA Hospital. He was a life member of the VFW and a member of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church.  Norman was also a West Point recruiter and recruited some of the first female cadets into the Academy. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Marie; children, Norman Jr. of Houston, TX; Roxanne Gustitis of Anthem, AZ, Victoria Buckley of Anthem, AZ, and Jennifer Hunt of Loudon, TN; they had six granddaughters; Elizabeth Allen, Alexandra Newton, Emma Hunt, Madeleine Gustitis, Caroline Gustitis, and Camille Gustitis; and great-granddaughter, Evelyn Allen. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 7:00 PM Friday, January 19, 2024 at Smith Trinity Chapel. The Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 AM Saturday, January 20, 2024 at Smith Trinity Chapel with Father Pete Iorio officiating. The Burial will be held at a future date at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA.  In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Community Food Connection or to the Friends of the Blount County Animal Shelter. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com