Oral Ray Norton passed from this life on October 23, 2018 in Yakima with the Lord welcoming him by saying “Well done, good and faithful servant.” He was born May 6, 1920 in Cuates, Union County, New Mexico to Charlie Clyde and Fannie Maude (Miller) Norton.
Oral graduated in 1940 from Buffalo High School in Oklahoma at the age of 20. He missed 2 years of school—one being ill with pneumonia and the other with his family in California picking crops before returning to Oklahoma. Eventually, most of his family moved to the Pacific Northwest settling in Oregon and Washington.
He married Clesta Smith on June 4, 1944 in Tieton where they resided working on their apple orchard and raising their family. They sold the orchard in 1994 and relocated to Naches. Oral moved to Yakima in 2013.
As a member of the Greatest Generation, Oral worked in the shipyards in Seattle and proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II.
Oral was a man of faith and had been an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Tieton. He took joy in spending time with his family and many friends. Oral and Clesta, traveled in the United States and internationally. They also enjoyed camping and fishing.
He is survived by his daughter Victoria (Michael) Stemm of Liberty Lake; sons Douglas (Berta) Norton of Naches, Neal (Marcy) Norton of Tenino; five grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law Clarence Smith of Almira; sisters-in-law Zora Smith of Tieton and Bev Smith of Elma; and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Clesta, his parents and his siblings Florence Hughes, Joe Norton, Walter (Bud) Norton, Mildred Hegwood and Lois Freeman.
A family graveside committal service will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, November 3, 2018 at West Hills Memorial Park.
In celebration of Oral’s life, a memorial service will be conducted at 12:30 PM, Saturday November 3, 2018 at Keith and Keith Funeral Home.
To honor Oral’s memory, the family is requesting that donations be made to Heartlinks Hospice, either online at heartlinkshospice.org or by mail to 3920 Outlook Road, Sunnyside, WA 98944.
To share a memory of Oral please visit www.keithandkeith.com.
