Brooks Norton

Redge "Brooks" Norton, loving husband, father, grandfather, friend, neighbor and brother, passed away peacefully in his sleep on February 15, 2026, at the age of 85 in St. George. Brooks was born in Central, Arizona on January 14, 1941, to Tom and Lola Norton. He developed a strong work ethic by working alongside his dad and brothers on the family's cotton farm. It was during this time that he realized that he did not want to spend his life working on the farm in the blazing Arizona sun and he knew that he must prioritize education.

Upon graduating high school, he attended Eastern Arizona College and then went on a LDS mission to the Western Central States Mission where he served [mostly] in Montana. After his mission he attended Arizona State University, earning a bachelor's degree in history and education. He self-funded his studies by working in a pizza parlor-and yes, learned to toss pizza dough in the air and catch it! -and he also bought a house near campus where he rented rooms to other students. He later went on to earn a master's degree in education from Western New Mexico University.

While at ASU he met Golda Willis in one of his political science classes. Brooks and Golda married on April 1, 1966, in the Mesa Arizona Temple. Dad lovingly referred to their anniversary as "the day two fools got married." Brooks was an educator for 40 years, first as a history and journalism teacher and later as a school administrator, in Bullhead City, Kingman and Littlefield, Arizona. He loved teaching and mentoring his students and faculties, and collaborating with PTAs and community partners to develop new educational programs aimed at student retention and enhanced graduation rates. In his personal and professional life, he embodied the values of respect, honesty, life-long learning and helping others.

Brooks was a 36-year resident of St. George, Utah who loved to garden, read and go to the gym. He enjoyed volunteering as an election worker and on the Bloomington Hills Architectural Review Board. While living in St. George he enjoyed a second career as a counselor at Southwest Behavioral Health and retired in 2005 after 10 years of service. He especially loved to learn about and experience other cultures through travel.

While in his early 60s he began taking art and wood carving classes at Dixie College. He loved sculpting wooden figurines for his two children and his five grandsons. Brooks and Golda were known for bringing neighbors together by spearheading block parties in their Bloomington Hills neighborhood. His family, especially his grandsons, loved when he made homemade scones and pizza.

Brooks is survived by his wife Golda, daughter Kimber Lee (Brian) Blatter of Clayton, California, son Redge Willis Norton of San Francisco, California, grandsons Aaron (Katie) Blatter, McKay (Talia) Blatter, John (Macy) Blatter, Garrett Blatter and Tanner Blatter, six great grandchildren Eden, Sophie, Jack, Reed, Grace, Nora, and his sister MaryLou (Guy) Clerc and brother Tom Norton. He was proceeded in death by his parents Tom and Lola Norton, sister NevaRae Norton Allred, and brothers Coy and Keyte Norton.

A graveside service will be held at on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 1:00pm at Tonaquint Cemetery, 1777 S. Dixie Drive in St. George, Utah.