WHEN I THINK ABOUT THE 10 PEOPLE IN THE WORLD I MOST ADMIRE, NORRIS ALLEN MAKES THE LIST. YEP, A MAN WHO DRIVES A PICKUP TRUCK OUT IN THE COUNTRY AND STILL LIVES ABOUT A MILE FROM THE SITE OF THE HOUSE WHERE HE WAS BORN.

Norris Allen: “I consider myself a country person in Tennessee.”

WELL, APPEARANCES ARE DECEIVING. NORRIS ALLEN HAS MADE 46 OVERSEAS TRIPS IN THE PAST 22 YEARS, PUTTING UP BUILDINGS FOR FREE -- SCHOOLS, HOUSES, CHURCHES, WHEREVER AND WHATEVER THE NEED. 

Norris Allen: “This is my first trip to Belize.”

ON THAT TRIP WITH THE VOLUNTEERS IN MISSION PROGRAM OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, NORRIS HELPED FIX A ROOF. AND GOT TO KNOW PEOPLE WHO STRUGGLED TO SURVIVE WITH VERY LITTLE FRESH WATER, NO ELECTRICITY AND WAGES OF $3 A DAY. IT OPENED HIS EYES; THEN NORRIS OPENED HIS HEART.

Norris Allen: “I had been struggling in my life for something meaningful. Then I realized I had construction skills and that someone in construction could also be in mission.”

CONSTRUCTION SKILLS, WHICH HE'S TAKEN TO JAMAICA, PUERTO RICO, ST. VINCENT, HONDURAS, GRENADA, DOMINICA. I'VE TRAVELED WITH NORRIS AND STILL CAN'T EXPLAIN HOW THIS LOW-KEY GUY CONVINCES PEOPLE TO GIVE UP VACATION, WORK TWO OR FOUR WEEKS IN THE TROPICAL SUN AND NOT ONLY COME HOME HAPPY, BUT COME BACK.

Norris Allen: “When I sit around here in this easy chair, I feel kind of guilty. Why couldn't I go back at least one more time, this time?”

SO, ABOUT THAT QUESTION: “HOW WOULD YOU WANT YOUR LIFE TO BE REMEMBERED?” WELL, DOZENS OF BUILDINGS, USED BY THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, SOUND TO ME LIKE A PRETTY GOOD ANSWER.