Dr. Charles Theo Norton

DR. CHARLES THEO NORTON Dr. Charles Theo Norton passed away on May 8, 2013. He was a resident of Houston, Texas. Dr. Norton was born in Purdon, Navarro County, Texas on December 26, 1930. He was the youngest of four children of Willard Lee Norton and Myrtle Johnston Norton. He was a graduate of Corsicana High School, attended Navarro Junior College, received a Bachelors Degree from the University of Texas at Austin, Master Degree from A & I University (now A&M at Kingsville, Texas), and the Doctorate of Education from the University of Houston (Main Campus). Prior to entering education, Dr. Norton worked in industry. He was a business instructor at Stark High in Orange, Texas and A.C. Jones High School in Beeville, Texas before joining the faculty of Wharton County Junior College in Wharton, Texas. He served as professor, department chairman, and at the time of his retirement was The Chairman of Business and Office Education Division. After retirement he continued as an adjunct professor at the Wharton County Junior College’s Fort Bend County Campuses. Dr. Norton was a consultant to industry on individualized training centers. His professional associations include the Texas Junior/Community College Teachers Association and Delta Pi Epsilon, an honorary society for business teachers. He was listed in Outstanding Educators of America in 1971. Community, church, and the arts were of special interest. He served several terms on St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church Vestry, and two terms as Senior Warden. As Chairman of St. Thomas’ Outreach, he helped establish the St. Thomas’ Thrift Shop in Wharton, Texas and was a weekly volunteer for 22 years. Dr. Norton received several commendations as a Texas Volunteer by the Texas Department of Human Resources. He was a volunteer with Lift Gift Organ and Tissue Donation Center in Houston, Texas. He was a member of Helping Hearts, a support group for heart transplants at Houston Methodist Hospital. Charles received the gift of life, a HEART, in December 1990. Survivors include his wife Patsy Gilliam Norton, daughter Hollis Norton Young, son-in-law, James Young, sister-in-law, nieces, and nephews. Parents, two brothers and a sister preceded him in death. Services were held at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Wharton, on Friday, May 10, 2013 at 2:00 pm with Rev. John Soard, Celebrant. A committal service will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, May 18, 2013 at the St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church Cinerarium, Wharton, Texas. Those desiring memorials may send them to St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church, Book of Remembrance, P.O. Box 586, Wharton, Texas 77488, Wharton County Junior College, Scholarship Fund, Wharton, Texas 77488, or a charity of your choice.