ACCA members said they were glad to have known Norris.

"I had the privilege of working with Jim through my participation on the national ACCA board of directors in the early 1990’s," said Bob Keingstein, president of Boss Facility Service Inc. in Ronkonkoma, New York, and a 1999 ACCA chairman. "His ability to lead ACCA and his knowledge and insight into the HVAC industry was something I truly admired. Through the years he was someone I looked up to both figuratively and literally. He always had a smile on his face and had the ability to make everyone serving with him feel comfortable and welcome. He led ACCA through some tough times, but always stayed focused on our mission to increase the sphere of influence that ACCA has within the industry. He accomplished that goal and many more. There are not many giants in this industry, but I think we can all agree that we just lost one of our finest and he will always be missed."

Lee Rosenberg, chairman of the board at HVAC sales contractor Rosenberg Indoor Comfort in San Antonio and 1995 ACCA chairman, agreed.

“Jim had tremendous energy and great passion for our industry," Rosenberg said. "He was admired and well respected by his staff at ACCA, the ACCA board of directors, the entire membership, and his colleagues in other industries. He will always be remembered as an engaging, enthusiastic and exciting communicator in our industry."

Norris is survived by his wife, Barb Norris, and his brother, Tom Norris.