Clayton Eugene Norton

Clayton Eugene Norton

Tigard, Oregon

August 17, 1920 – December 29, 2017

Clayton Eugene Norton was born Aug. 17, 1920, in Lemmon, South Dakota, the son of Ida May Brandsrud Norton. Clayton attended school in Wall, South Dakota, graduating from Wall High School in 1939. In 1943, he graduated from Black Hills Teacher’s College; he received his Master’s from the Univ. of Oregon.

In August, 1943, Clayton moved west to teach and coach his first year in Echo, Oregon. He was drafted into the Army in 1944, serving in the Philippines and Japan. In 1946, Clayton returned to his career as an educator at Redmond Union High School. He married Clara L. Correa of Echo, Oregon, Oct. 11, 1946. Clayton remained at Redmond Union High School for 19 years. In 1965 he moved to Heppner as the high school administrator; followed by 1966-67 school year as Clatskanie Grade School administrator. In 1967 he and his family moved to Tigard where he was principal of Tualatin Grade School. Clayton completed his 38 year career in education in 1982 as the first principal of Tigard’s Mary Woodward Grade School.

In retirement, Clayton restored his father’s 1934 Dodge Brothers 4 door sedan, the car he learned to drive while in high school. He was a former member of the Oregon Historical Automobile Association. Clayton enjoyed travel, following sports, reading and visiting with friends and family. He once remarked he seldom went anyplace that he didn’t know someone.

Clayton passed away peacefully at home December 29, 2017 at the age of 97. He is survived by his children, Shirley and Bill (Andrea); grandson, Jordan; granddaughter, Allegra, sister-in-law Frances Correa Cheves and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Clara, his sisters Olive Burke and Faye E. Bryan, his sister-in-law Estephana ‘Estie’ Correa Billing, and his brother-in-law Jack N. Correa.

A viewing will be held Wednesday, Jan. 17th from 10am to 2pm at Young’s Funeral Home, Tigard, Oregon. A graveside service will be held at 1pm Sat. Jan. 20th at Echo Pioneer Cemetery, Echo, Oregon, followed by a reception from 1:30pm to 4pm at the Echo Ridge Cellar, Echo, Oregon. Young’s Funeral Home is handling arrangements.