One's life story begins at sunrise (birth). All chapters following are an ongoing work in progress, revealing the highs and lows in each one's novel, with each day urging its author on to that climatic "story ending." Malique "Liq" Jahmel Allen Norris, life story began when he was born on April 1, 1996, in Denver, Colorado to Monica O'melia Young and Jahmel Allen Norris. Malique grew up surrounded by love from his grandmother, uncles, aunts, cousins, and sister. Malique came from a close-knit blended family, he was the first-born child of his mother and last-born child of his father.
As a child Malique was an avid reader of sports autobiographical books. He spent summers playing pop warner football. He was an outstanding running back and linebacker. At the age of nine years old, he learned to swim within ten minutes of entering the pool. Malique had a charismatic personality, a smile that illuminated a room and he never met a stranger. Malique was a self-taught calligrapher, collector of sport cards, talented writer, and visual artist. Malique was known as a giver and provided refuge for others.
Malique graduated from West High School while completing the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program at Emily Griffith Technical College. He wanted to help others. However, Malique dreamed of following in his father's footsteps as a carpenter but stumbled into a welding classroom and discovered an indescribable passion for hard work. He began his training at Job Corps in Montana where he encountered discrimination and fought his way back to his hometown. Malique was determined to finish what he started in Montana. He earned the highest score on the Certified Welder's exam in his class and completed Emily Griffith Technical College, eventually becoming a Journeyman Welder and Glazier. Malique found purpose in his passion of welding and installing glass in some of the premier buildings in Colorado. Have you noticed the glass in the following locations: UC Health - Anschutz Medical Campus, Whole Foods Downtown & Lockheed Martin Space - Littleton, those are some of the locations where Malique laid his famous blow torch to frame the glass. Malique worked two years at the Gaylord Rockies Resort/Convention Center during inclement weather as a glazier. He boasted about his coworkers and bosses at El Paso Glass. He was a proud member of Glaziers Local Union 930 until his health began to decline.
Malique was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Alonzo Sr & Opal Norris of Denver, CO; maternal grandfather Sylvester Young of Greenville, MS; great grandmother, Annie Mae Carter of Memphis, TN; uncles, Lavester Young of Greenville, MS; Alonzo Norris Jr of Denver, CO; Cornell Norris of Denver, CO; James McClure, Jr of Memphis, TN; aunts, Linda Norris of Denver, CO; Larketta Bedford of Memphis, TN.
He was common law married to Lashon Hysten for four years, and from that union an adorable rambunctious daughter Julionna Elaine Norris was born. He enjoyed being a girl dad and made an indelible impression on his daughter's life.
On October 2, 2023, Malique Jahmel Allen Norris left a legacy of love with his daughter Julionna Norris; father Jahmel Norris of Denver, CO; mother Monica Young, stepfather, Willie Thomas both of Aurora, CO; brother Calib Alexander of Columbus, OH; sisters Janese Israel of Denver, CO; Macee Flores, and Anja Reynolds both of Portland, OR; grandmother, Joyce Young of Denver, CO; uncles, Bernard McClure Sr., of Memphis, TN, Tommy Young of Denver, CO; Eddie McClure and Ricky McClure both of Memphis, TN aunts, Donna Norris, Renee Fankhauser, Harriet Norris, all of Denver, CO; Wendy Spraggins of Dallas, TX; Shirley McClure of Memphis, TN; Cousins, Bernard McClure Jr, Eleantay McClure, Racquel McClure, BerNautica McClure of all of Memphis, TN; Jamal (Nikki) Ward, Ernest Ward, Joy Ward, Timothy Ward, James Ward, Isaiah Ward, Charles McClure, Ephraim Thompson, Lonnell Norris, Shonnell Norris, Ahmed Hakeem II, Tasha Grant, Kenton Jones, Michael C. Simien, Marva Williams all of Denver, CO; Tariq Hakeem of Atlanta, GA; Kamaria (A.P.) Hakeem-Peterson of Houston, TX and Jared Fankhauser of Los Angeles, CA; Marcus Ward of Atlanta, GA; Patricia Ward of Chicago, IL; Iris Williams of Chicago, IL; Special Great Aunts & Uncles Linda McClure-Madry & Luther Madry of Aurora, CO; Helen & Michael Purry of Farmington Hills, MI; Josephine Young of Detroit, MI. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to help with expenses through Harris Funeral Directors. Everyone is encouraged to wear white, silver, and/or gray the day of his homegoing celebration.