Rev. Norton was born in Newnan, Georgia on December 19, 1928, the son of the late Emma Newby Norton and Wade Norton. After graduating from high school he served honorably in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict where he was awarded the Bronze Star for his gallantry under extreme circumstances.   He was a graduate of the University of Georgia where he was a Letterman on the football team and a member of the baseball team.  After marrying the love of his life, Joyce Sibley and having their two children he attended and graduated from the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Masters in Divinity. It was during this time that he worked as a deputy sheriff for the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Department. His pastoral jobs led him to minister at the Union Grove Baptist Church Lithia Springs, Georgia, First Baptist Church Pine Mountain, Georgia, First Baptist Church Franklin, Georgia, and his final post at Deacon Heights Baptist Church Madison, Georgia. During his time of service in Franklin he also used his former athletic training and became a football coach, trainer, and team chaplain for the Heard County Braves sports teams. He always felt that this ministry was probably the most valuable of all his time in service to the Lord. The love and concern he offered to these young athletes, and the wonderful Christian example he set changed many lives, and created bonds that have last throughout the years. For forty years he was a parks and recreation referee in several different sporting events.  He was proud of all of the children that he mentored but his greatest accomplishment in life was being a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather, and great-grandfather to his wonderful family. The contributions of this very dedicated man will long be remembered by all those his life richly blessed!

He is survived by his wife, Joyce Norton of Conyers, GA.; daughter, Sharon Zunt (Jim) of Dallas, GA.; son, Wade Norton also of Dallas, GA.; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.