John Norman Norton Sr.

MOCKSVILLE - Mr. John Norman Norton Sr., 75, of Random Road died early Sunday morning, April 4, 2004, at Forsyth Medical Center. Mr. Norton was born Jan. 24, 1929, in Marion, N.C., to the late Jim and Claudia Ellis Norton. He was a retired principal of Davie County High School and a former principal of Boyden High School in Salisbury. He was a graduate of High Point College (class of 1949) and later pursued graduate studies at Appalachian State Teachers College and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His first tenure as Davie County High School principal began in 1964. Several years later, he moved back to Broughton High School in Raleigh and returned to Davie County High School in 1971. His favorite pastimes were playing golf and coaching high school and college sports. He was an avid scratch golfer, a member of Statesville Country Club, and a recipient of many golfing awards and trophies. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ann Marie Sodolski Norton, in 1997; a sister, Mary Hollifield; and a brother, Dr. Bob Norton. Surviving are his daughter and her husband, Linda and Walter Matthews of Charlotte; his son and his wife, John N. Norton Jr. and Carol of Wilmington, N.C.; five grandchildren, Christopher John Matthews, John N. Norton III, Bradley Alan Norton, Jennifer Cheryl Matthews and Kelly Ann Norton; two great-grandchildren; a sister, Frances and husband, Norman Painter, of Winston-Salem; a brother Jack Norton and wife, Barrie, of Americus, Ga.; and his faithful companion, his dog, Tyler. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. today, April 5, in Rose Cemetery with Dr. Bob Landry and Mr. Bill Campbell officiating. The family will receive friends and relatives at the home immediately following the service. They request that memorials be considered for Cancer Services, 622 N. Main St., Mocksville, NC 27028. Eaton Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Norton.