Jacob Alfred Norton

Jacob “Jake” Alfred Norton was born March 7, 1940 to Alfred and Halla (Laughlin) Norton on the family homestead North of Fowler. He attended Grandview School and Fowler High School, graduating in I958. Jake married his high school sweetheart, Sheila Elaine Moreland, in June of 1960. Two children were born to Jake and Sheila, a daughter, Holly, and a son, Jade.

Jake attended Auction School in Mason City, Iowa in 1960. Jake spent the next 55 years auctioneering and chanting the good life. He auctioned at both the Fowler Auction and Winter Livestock in his early years, sold many farm sales, household auctions, county 4-H Sales and the Colorado State Fair 4-H Sale. In the early 80’s Jake and Sheila both got their real estate license and opened and operated Jake Norton Realty and Auction Service for many years out of their Fowler office. Jake’s specialty was Agriculture and sold many farms and ranches in the area. Jake and Sheila also enjoyed ranching and grazing cattle on their ranchland North of Fowler.

Jake had a wonderful sense of humor and had quite a following of customers who would come to his auctions to be entertained and laugh in addition to buying lots of cheap treasures. He and Sheila worked side by side their entire marriage and had lots of fun and happiness along the way.

Jake was a Deacon and an active member of the Fowler Christian Church until moving to Pueblo in 2014. He was very active in his community and well-known throughout the Arkansas Valley. Jake’s biggest joy was his family and he was a wonderful husband, dad, brother, uncle and Papa Jake. He and Sheila spent much of their time caring for their grandchildren and driving near and far to support and attend all of their activities.

Jake is survived by his daughter, Holly (Joe) Ribaudo, son Jade (Annie) Norton; grandchildren Courtney (Tom) Baird, Brett (Brandee) Ribaudo, Jiana Norton, Jayden (Jace) Lewis, Jace Norton, Breana Arnold and Tori Arnold; great-grandchildren Luke Ribaudo, Brooklyn Ribaudo and Braxton Baird; sisters Phyllis Pfeiff and Ferrel Edens, brothers and sisters-in-law Sammi (Jim) Mason and Steve (Vera) Moreland and several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Halla Norton, wife Sheila Norton; brothers Joe, Jack and Jerry and sister, Mary Katherine Armstrong.

A Memorial Service for Jacob will be held Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Faith Baptist, 212 2nd St, Fowler, CO 81039. Following the Memorial Service will be an inurnment to follow at Fowler Cemetery, 114 E. Cranston Avenue, Fowler, Colorado 81039.

A time for Reflections, Stories and Cheer Reception at the Fowler Golf Course following service and burial, lunch will be served.