Norm Ducharme, a good and faithful servant, is safely home in the arms of Jesus. He was born on December 21, 1938, and went to be with his Savior on October 1, 2025.

Graveside service will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday, October 12th at Gethsemane Cemetery and Memorial Gardens, 1504 W. Sugar Creek Road, Charlotte, NC 28262.  Seating will be for family only but the service is open to everyone.  

A memorial service will follow at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, October 12th at SIM, 14830 Choate Circle, Charlotte, NC 28273. 

Norm was born in Holyoke, Massachusetts, the youngest of three children to Alfred and Ruth Ducharme. From an early age, he was curious, diligent, and grounded in the faith his parents modeled. Though he did not know then how fully that faith would shape his life, God was already preparing his heart for a lifetime of service.

In March of 1972, Norm surrendered his life to Christ, a moment he remembered as forever changing his life. From that point on, he lived with quiet conviction and deep gratitude, eager to use his gifts wherever God called him.

Norm and his beloved wife, Ellie, were married for 50 years, 1 month, and 5 days. In the dedication of his book For My Grands, he wrote, “To Ellie, my dear wife… her prayers brought me to the Lord and changed my life forever; and she kept praying.” Their marriage was a testimony of steadfast love, patience, and shared mission.

Following God’s call, Norm and Ellie joined SIM in 1977, serving faithfully in technology and mission support for nearly three decades. Norm used his gifts and love of computers to spread the work of the Gospel around the world, helping to equip missionaries and ministries with the tools they needed to serve. He often said he was grateful that God allowed him to combine the work he loved with the ministry he believed in. During his time at SIM, Norm served in Austria, Liberia, India, Nigeria, and many other places in need of the gospel.

One of Norm’s greatest joys in life was helping young people come to know Jesus and walk with Him. He spent decades serving through Boys Brigade and dedicated countless hours working at Bible camps. He also helped transport many kids to church camp, making sure they had the opportunity to grow in their faith. After retiring from SIM in 2004, Norm felt it was important to continue the gospel’s mission in his own community. He organized Angel Tree Ministries in local churches and regularly volunteered with Meals on Wheels.

He rejoins his beloved Ellie in the presence of the Lord and is survived by his sons, Chip (Pam), and Bill (Jenn), by his cherished grandchildren — Jacqueline, Matthew, Jordan, Abigail, Josiah, and Amanda, and great granddaughter Selah Jo. Norm’s deepest hope was that his family would walk closely with Jesus; it was for them that he wrote For My Grands, leaving behind not only his words but a living testimony of faith, love, and steadfast trust in God.

Norm lived each day with unwavering faith, joyfully serving the Lord and encouraging all who knew him. He lived a life of servitude, dedicating himself to God’s work and leaving a lasting impact on everyone he touched. Though he will be deeply missed, his family takes comfort in knowing that he is safely home with his Savior, and his legacy of faith will continue to inspire and guide those who follow in his footsteps.

As Norm once wrote, “Nothing that has happened in the years since that day in March 1972 has caused any doubt or shaken my confidence.” His confidence is now sight, and his joy is complete.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.