DON ORVILLE NORTON

Don Orville Norton was born December 20, 1924 at Winona, Mo, the son of James Franklin Norton, Jr. and Elsie Alice Norton. Don married Lucy Vermillion on May 14, 1947 at Eminence, Missouri. To this union, 2 sons were born, Don Jr. and Jerry Norton. Don and Lucy enjoyed 47 years together. After Lucy passed away, Don married Mrs. Ruby Earls King on October 13, 1995. Don enlisted in the Navy and served as a Fireman during WWII. He was honorably discharged on March 21, 1946. After returning from the war, Don worked at Fisher Body in St. Louis before moving back to Winona, where he was the Postmaster for 11 years. He retired from Paramount Cap Factory after 32 years of faithful service. Don served on the Winona School Board for 43 years. For 20 of those years, he held the office of President of the school board. Winona School honored his dedication to the community by naming the Winona School System's new multipurpose building after him, The Don O. Norton Sr. Multipurpose Building. Don was active in a variety of organizations in the Winona area and was constantly working to help its residents. He traveled to Colorado and Washington, DC in the 1980s to represent the school district in what proved to be a successful endeavor to obtain federal funding for the new High School and gymnasium, which was completed in 1990. Don served as President of the Lions Club for many years and was active in other community organizations. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Odd Fellows Lodge, and board member on the Ozark Economic Opportunity Board for 25 years. Additionally, he was a board member for the County Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation (ASC) Service for 15 years. Don served as a board member for the Three Rivers Sheltered Workshop. He was a member of the Church of God of Prophecy in Winona and attended when his health permitted. A scholarship in the name of The Don O. Norton, Sr. Memorial Scholarship Fund was established at the Security Bank of the Ozarks in Winona, MO. Don's kindly nature and lovable traits of character, and his amiable consideration for those about him, will long live in the hearts and minds of all who knew him.

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