Calvin Bernard Hamrick passed away peacefully on July 1, 2026, at Caro Mont Health in Gastonia, North Carolina. Born in New Port News, Virginia on September 14, 1952, Calvin was a pillar of strength and compassion to all who knew him. Calvin was the son of the late Charles and Virginia Norris.

Calvin grew up as a member of Shiloh Baptist Church in Shelby, NC where he was taught many lifelong disciplines. He graduated from Shelby High School in 1970 where he excelled in academics, football and on the track team.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and a Juris Doctorate from Golden State Law School in San Francisco, California. In 1977, he began his legal career as an Assistant District Attorney for Gaston County, NC. He was elected to the position of District Attorney in 1986, a role he held with distinction until 1990. In 1988, he helped to coordinate the Gaston County Community Penalties Program (also known as Alternative Community Penalties Program, Inc.), designed to impact North Carolina's prison overcrowding and the rising cost of taxpayer dollars spent to incarcerate non-violent offenders.

Calvin's career spanned over 48 years as a licensed member of the North Carolina State Bar Association, during which he established a successful private law practice serving Gaston, Cleveland, and surrounding counties. His relationships with judicial associates and courthouse staff were marked with mutual respect and admiration.

Preceding him in death was his son, Calvin B. Hamrick II; grandparents, John and Sarah Black (Ma Sarah); his aunt Lula M. Watkins (Aunt Woo); Sister, Deborah Coleman; and nephew, Tirand Norris.

He leaves behind a loving family including his brother, Charles Cornell Norris, Sr.; sister-laws, Mary Woodyard and Pamela Harris; nephews, Nicolas Bernard Norris, Sr. (fiancée Kim Vaz), Charles Cornell Norris, Jr., Kenneth Harris, Brandon Foster, and Cameron Woodyard; Nieces, Sarah Coleman and Jennifer Harris Shadoin (Troy); and a host of great nieces and nephews.

He was an avid golfer and cherished the camaraderie and joy the sport brought him.

Calvin's remarkable life and legacy of service will be remembered by all who had the privilege to know him. His spirit will forever be a guiding light to those he leaves behind.