Donald Lester Norton

Don Norton was born in Los Angeles, the second son of Ralph and Florence Norton. As a child, his best friend was his brother, Jerry, and remained so for all their lives. He was a Boy Scout and when his three boys were in the program, he became active again as a volunteer and leader. His parents introduced him to camping in 1935 which continued throughout his life, taking the family on summer camping trip to Yosemite, San Clemente State Park, and on camping road trips around the United States In Don's later years, his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren would gather at Pismo State Beach.

Don graduated from Garfield High School in East Los Angeles in June 1942 and attended Los Angeles City College for one year. His sister, Patti, was just three months old when he joined the Navy and was sent to Radio Tech School at Chicago's Navy Pier. While there he was accepted in the V12 Program and sent to Illinois Institute of Technology. Don met Mary Kurtz in June 1944 and married June 14, 1947, the day after he graduated from IIT with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Don was hired by C.F. Braun & Co., the only company he worked for, with a three year assignment in Cairo, Egypt. His hobbies were golf, bridge, and after Egypt, travelling. Sixty three family members including great grandchildren attended his 92nd birthday party and he died peacefully at 8 a.m. the following morning [in the presence of his wife Mary and daughter Janet] to be with the Lord. - Taken from the memorial service program, unless my additions in [ ]