John Albert Ray Norton Sr.

COLUMBIA - A funeral service for John Albert Ray Norton Sr. (Ray), 83, will be held at 12:00 noon Saturday, August 9, 2025, at Asbury United Methodist Church, with burial in Greenlawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family.

Mr. Norton passed away Monday, August 4, 2025, surrounded by his family. Born in Columbia, he was the son of the late James Corbit and Mary Eliza Clary Norton. Ray worked in human resources at Springs Industries for 40 years and was the last one to lock it up when they closed the doors for the final time.

Ray attended Olympia High School and graduated in 1959.

Ray loved camping vacations with the family, Nascar, Gamecock Football and woodworking. Ray also enjoyed spending time with the family.

Ray was a no-nonsense, quick to the point and always spoke his mind. He was always the person you wanted to talk to for advice. He was a prankster and always had a joke to tell, A wonderful father, grandfather and father-in-law, he was also a great cook, and we enjoyed many happy times around the table on special occasions.

Surviving is his wife, Lorine L. Norton; daughter, Kathryn Norton; son, John Norton Jr.; daughter-in-law, Kathryn Boshier; adopted daughter, Tammy Kendrick; grandson, John Ray Watts and wife Jillian; grandson, Dylan Norton; brother, Ned Norton and wife Maggie; sister, Sandra Herbert and husband Eddie; sister-in-law, Sylvia Norton; niece, Elizabeth Madden and husband Mark; nephew, Scott Norton; and numerous other nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by brothers, James Norton, William Norton, Jack Norton and sisters, Lucille Fetner, Joanne Elkins, Nancy Bromagen, Linda Frayer,

Memorials may be made to Asbury United Methodist Church, 1005 Asbury Dr, Columbia, SC, 29209, in lieu of flowers.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com