Norman Newt Pledger

November 30, 1928 – September 14, 2016

Norman Newt was born in Sipsey, Alabama on November 30th, 1928 to Lizzie and George Pledger. He passed away in his sleep on September 14th, 2016. His legacy was equal opportunity for working men and women through the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 113.

Norman was a football player in high school where he was a fullback. His crushing running resulted in a nickname of ‘Buster’. He left Alabama in 1948 and served with the strategic air command as a flight engineer. He married in 1952 to Anna J. Fontechio. He and his wife settled in Colorado Springs where he served a four-year apprenticeship with IBEW 113. By 1959 he was president of the Colorado Springs Labor Council and became Colorado AFL-CIO president in 1975 serving until 1985. During the years he was active in the state community college system. He became chairman of the El Paso Community College Council (Board of Governors). He was a member of the Colorado Springs Charter Review Commission whose purpose was to review and make recommendation of changes to the city council. Boy Scout work with the Salvation Army and board of directors of Family Counseling.

Norman Pledger was involved in all these duties in the union and community while holding a full time job. He was labeled as a man before his time.

He is survived by brothers Malcolm, wife Polly (deceased), Dale, wife Mary, sister Shirley, husband Earl, stepdaughters Joan Long, Gloria Nunn (deceased), children of Joan Long, John Long and Stephanie Bitti, children of Gloria Nunn, Roxanne Osler and Melanie Ruth. A Visitation will be held Wednesday, 9/21/2016 at Swan-Law Funeral Directors 501 N. Cascade Ave. Colorado Springs, CO. 80903 at 10:30am, with Funeral Service to follow at 11:00 AM, burial at Evergreen Cemetery. A Celebration Of Norman’s life will be held Thursday at the IBEW 113 Union Hall at 11:00 AM, 2150 Naegele Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80904.