Joe Irvin Norton was born to Roscoe Alexander Norton SR and Toy Mae Wells of Eufaula, Oklahoma on June 11, 1926. Joe went to be with the Lord on August 23, 2024, knowing that he was so loved by all his family.

Service:  11:30 am, Thursday, August 29, 2024 in Biggers Funeral Chapel.

Interment:  2:30 pm, Thursday, August 29, 2024 at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery

Visitation:  6:00 - 8:00 pm, Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at Biggers Funeral Home.

He spent his youth in Eufaula, Oklahoma and Fort Scott, Kansas.

He served in the Asiatic Pacific Theater during WWII. Joe was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon and Star, along with other citations, during the battle of Cebu.

As Joe lay wounded, during the Battle of Cebu, he promised the Lord that if He rescued him that he would serve Him the rest of his life – And he Did! He served as a Deacon and taught in Pioneer Boys at Northwest Bible Church. He wrote Bible verses on the 3 x 5 note cards that he always had in his front pocket (along with his pocket protector). One of the family's favorite memories is his reading the Bible at Christmas time. He would always provide a short sermon to go with the Scripture passage he chose for the year.

He attended Kansas State, where he met his wife of 64 years, Elaine Earhart. They were married on October 31, 1952, and celebrated their anniversary every year by handing out tracts and candy.

Joe worked as an engineer for Bell Helicopter from the late 1960's until the early 1980's. While he was there, he developed a part on the helicopter that reduced the sounds of the engine for the crafts used during the Vietnam War.

Joe was a quiet, solid, peace-making man. He never had an unkind word for anyone. He loved his family with his whole heart and prayed for all daily. Joe and Elaine loved missions and felt that it was especially important to support them and pray for them. He still receives letters from missionaries that they supported throughout the years. He helped raise some of his grandchildren, ensuring they had the same opportunities as his children. This also extended to his great-grandchildren.

Joe was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Elaine Earhart Norton; his daughter, Debra Ann Sand; his sister, Elois Butts; and his brother, Roscoe Alexander Norton JR.

He is survived by his son, Joe Norton II; his daughter, Martha Norton Wood and her husband, Warren Wood; his grandchildren, Mark Balder, James Balder, Sarrah Bosley, Jerri Bosley, Aaron Wood, Miranda Haddock, Desiree Danielsen, and Weston Wood. He also had 15.5 great-grandchildren.

2 Corinthians 5:8 "We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord".