Donald Corwin Norton, 84, of Memphis died Sunday, November 20, 2016 at University of Missouri Hospitals and Clinics in Columbia.
He was born the son of Robert A. and Maude (Corwin) Norton on October 13, 1932 in a house north of Bible Grove that belonged to his grandfather, Oliver Corwin.
Don attended schools in the area while growing up, including Knox County, Baring, and Bible Grove before graduating from Scotland County R-1 in 1949.
He married the former Vera Eulene Robinson on January 26, 1952. She preceded him in death on September 1, 2010.
To this union, six children were born: Donald Rex, Danny Ray, Cindy Joan, Wendy Jean, Wanda Elaine, and Randy Dean.
Don was inducted into the armed forces after the birth of their first child. He served in the Army of the United States from 1953-1955, stationed in Germany.
The Nortons were involved in farming and raised pure bred charolais cattle. Don also worked in construction. He was appointed Scotland County Collector in 1964 and served in that position until 1983. Thereafter, he was employed by the county to serve as Director of Equalization until that project was completed. In 1987, he started work for the NRCS on a part time basis, as well as for the Scotland County Soil District where he completed 20 years of service in 2008. In 2000, he obtained a real estate license and began working part time at Primrose Realty, where he worked until his death.
He was preceded in death by his mother in 1980; father in 1983; his beloved wife; brother, Dale, in 1986; a sister, June, in 1989; and a grandson, Ryan Norton, in 1979.
He is survived by his children, Rex (Teresa) Norton of Gorin, Danny (Becky) Norton of Memphis, Cindy Robinson and friend Gerald Steen of Glenwood; Wendy McBee and Wanda (Craig) Homer all of Queen City, and Randy (Thelma) Norton of Memphis; a brother, Robert (Judy) Norton of Elizabethtown, KY; a sister, Jewel Brown, of Memphis; sister-in-law Maxine Robinson of Wyoming; 12 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.
Funeral services will held at 10 a.m., Saturday, November 26 at the Gerth Funeral Chapel in Memphis with burial in the Bible Grove Church of Christ Cemetery. Officiating the service will be Dan Todd. Military Honors will be provided by the Wallace W. Gillespie Memorial V.F.W. Post #4958 of Memphis and the Missouri Military Honors Program.
Visitation is from 12-8 p.m., with the family from 6-8 p.m., Friday, November 25 at the Gerth Funeral Home in Memphis.
Memorials are to the Bible Grove Church of Christ Cemetery.
13 comments
You all are in our prayers during this tough time. Love to you all.
Cindy — so very sorry to learn of this — will keep you and all your family in thought and prayer and wish I could be there — please take care.
I submitted a message and I not sure it was accepted as I put in an address for mail instead of email address. Please let me know if I need to resubmit the message to the family. Thank you!
We are so sorry for your earthly loss. Don was such a good friend to both my father, Harley and mother, Janet Erickson. When they each passed away, Don was there and was such a comfort to my sister, Kathy and me. There have been several times that I called Don after they passed. He always had a story to share regarding Daddy and Mom. His loss is like another connection to my Dad and Mom, lost. Your Dad was such a good man. He will be missed.
Connie Erickson Balfour
I’m so very sorry for your loss. My prayers go to the entire family.
So sorrry to hear of your loss. My prayers go out to the family.
Wendy: I am so sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. My family’s thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
We are so sorry for your family’s loss. Don was a man full of kindness, care, and thoughtfulness, especially in the way he took care of grandparents, Harley & Janet Erickson, and in the way he treated my parents, Tom & Kathy Albsmeyer, and Aunt Connie Balfour. Don frequently called my grandparents to talk about their younger days and to just check on them. He would randomly do little acts of kindness to make their lives easier. They looked forward to his company and kindness. After my grandparents passed away, he continue to show this kindness to my mother and called her. She enjoyed his calls and the link to my grandparents and her hometown. Our family will always remember him and the light he brought into all our lives.
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your Father. Don was a very special man & we enjoyed many visits with him. He will be missed by many. Love & prayers to all of his family.
Larry & Linda
Sorry for the loss of Don. He was a very special person. He will be missed by everyone.
“Every time an old man dies it is as if a library has burnt down.”
-African proverb
In Don’s case, it is not just a library, but an entire university.
So very sorry to hear he is gone. He was a great man. He always said a kind word about my Mom. He will be missed. Sorry not to have gone to visitation. was to tired from working Black Friday.
We are so sorry for your loss.. Don was a very kind and special person. God Bless you all at this difficult time.
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