Class of 1940
1940 Graduation EditionPerry Daily Journal
Russell Norton
– 18 years old, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Dan Norton, 513 Grove street. He was born in Redfield, South Dakota, May 21, 1921. Before coming to Perry to school he attended school in Seminole.
He wa secretary of his sophomore class home room and is a First Class Boy Scout. His hobbies are model airplane building and drawing of planes.
Russell Albert Norton
May 21, 1921 – July 30, 2014
May 21, 1921 – July 30, 2014
Russell Albert Norton of Fairland, OK passed away July 30, 2014, at the Muskogee VA hospital at the age of 93. Born in Redfield, SD, May 21, 1921, to Daniel Dodge Arthur Norton and Cora Lona (Spicer) Norton.
Russell was preceded in death by his parents, brother Donald Norton and sister Merna Statten.
Russell graduated from Perry High school in 1940.
He was inducted into the US Navy May 21, 1942, where he was stationed at San Diego, CA, Jacksonville FL, Simons island GA, CASU #1 (carrier service unite one) Ford island pearl harbor HI, USS Sitkoh Bay (CVE 86) escort aircraft carrier. Serving 3 years, 7 months, and 15 days.
For a time he attended Oklahoma A&M in Stillwater, OK.
Russell worked for Beech Aircraft Company, Wichita, KS; Douglas Aircraft Tulsa, OK; Ford Auto Dealers in Tulsa and Fairland.
In 1956, partnering with his parents, Russell bought 76 acres near Fairland, OK where he farmed and opened an auto repair shop.