Donald M. Norton

Donald M. Norton passed away peacefully February 15th at the age of 94.
Mass of Christian burial Wednesday, March 3, 2021 at 10 a.m. at St. Michaels Catholic Church, 3713 Harwood Rd, Bedford, TX.
Scriptural Wake Tuesday, March 2, 2021 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Brown Owens & Brumley Family Funeral Home, 425 S. Henderson St., Fort Worth TX.
Burial: Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park, Colleyville, TX.
In lieu of flowers Memorials requested to: Church in Latin America c/o St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton Catholic Church 2016 Willis Ln, Keller, TX 76248 or Sul Ross State University, Alpine, TX. 79832 General Scholarship Fund or St. Georges Catholic Church 825 Karnes St, Fort Worth, TX 76111
Don was born in Farmington, NM to William Mercer and Carrie Anderson Norton on June 16, 1926. His twin brother David preceded him in death at the age of three months. He grew up on a farm in Bovina, TX. Where he attended public schools, graduating in 1944. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy upon graduating and after completion of boot camp and amphibious training was assigned to the attack transport U.S.S. Montrail. He participated in the Layte Gulf, and Okinawa campaigns during which his ship was credited with shooting down 3 Kamikaze planes. He was honorably discharged from the Navy on May 20th 1946 but remained in the Naval Reserve.
He enrolled at Sul Ross State Teachers College in the fall of 1946 and graduated in August of 1949. He played on the undefeated and untied Lobo football team, co-champions of the Tangerine Bowl Classic of 1949.
After graduating he began his teaching career at Ft. Stockton I.S.D. teaching 7th grade and coaching football. He was recalled to active duty in August of 1950 and served aboard the attack transport U.S.S. Sanborn during the Korean War. After discharge from active duty he moved to Ft. Worth, TX and worked for Trans Texas Airways. It was while he was working there that he met his future wife Martha Krawice. They were married November 28, 1953. He remained faithful to her even after her passing away 1998. He resumed teaching in the fall of 1953 at Polytechnic High School in Ft. Worth. He completed his Master’s Degree in Education at Texas Wesleyan University in 1963. He also served as Vice Principal at Wedgewood Middle School and Glencrest Middle School. He retired from the Ft. Worth Independent School District in 1986. He had fond memories of the students that he had the privilege of teaching. After retirement he enjoyed spending time with his wife and cooking with his smoker for family and friends. He enjoyed playing golf with friends and was the biggest cheerleader for his grandchildren, rarely missing a school or sporting event. He would like to be remembered as one who loved God, his family and his country. He considered it a privilege and an honor to have served our country in World War II and the Korean War.
He is preceded in death by his beloved wife Martha, his parents William Mercer and Carrie Norton, his sisters Christine Doherty and Eris Gilroy, his brothers David Norton, W.M. Norton Jr., and Howard (Pat) Norton.
He is survived by his daughter Karen Norton, sons Don Norton Jr. and Stephen Norton. Grandchildren Mollianne Navarro, Tyler Don Norton, Sophia Norton and Nicole Rodgers and three great grandchildren.

Home is the sailor, home from the sea.

Brown, Owens & Brumley Family Funeral Home
425 S. Henderson St.
(817) 335-4557