Raymond P. Norton, age 86, of 1502  Montana Avenue; Gladstone, died Tuesday morning, December 12th, 2006, at Lakeview Assisted Living in Gladstone.

Ray was born August 4th, 1920 in Gladstone, the son of John Sr. and Louise (Jacobson) Norton, was a lifelong Gladstone resident, and was a 1938 graduate of the Gladstone High School.

Following graduation, he enlisted in the US Army where he served in Africa, Italy, France, and Germany during World War II. After his honorable discharge on December 21st, 1945, Ray married the former Roberta “Bobbi” Patterson on February 2nd, 1946 in Grand Rapids.

Being active in community affairs, he was a member of the Gladstone City Commission for 16 years and served 5 terms as mayor and was a member of the Delta County Board of Commissioners for 8 years. In addition, he was a former member and Past President of Region #10 of the Michigan Municipal League and was a charter member of the Delta County Overall Economic Development and Planning Committee.

Ray was associated with the Boy Scout Organization for 23 years, serving mainly as the Scoutmaster of the Rotary Club Troop #446. He also served as Red Buck District Chairman and various Hiawatha Council positions and was a holder of the Eagle Award, Scouters Key Award, and Silver Beaver Award.

Ray Norton was employed by the US Postal Service for 36 years, retiring as Postmaster of the Gladstone office in May of 1978.

He is a member of the First Lutheran Church. Ray was also a member and former officer of the Gladstone Yacht Club, Gladstone American Legion August Mattson Post #71,  and a member and Past President of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees Chapter #1389.

Ray Norton’s survivors include:

His loving wife, Roberta “Bobbi” Norton

1 son- Patrick (Pamela) Norton of London, Ontario; Canada

1 granddaughter, Emily Norton.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by 3 brothers; Edward, John, and James Norton, and by a sister, Grace Casimir.

The family of Raymond P. Norton will receive friends on Saturday at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Services celebrating Ray’s life will follow on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at the Skradski Funeral Home with Rev. Jonathan Schmidt of the First Lutheran Church officiating. Burial will be in the Gardens of Rest Cemetery; Wells. The Norton family respectfully requests memorials be directed to the First Lutheran Church and envelopes are available at the Skradski-Boyce Family Funeral Homes of Delta County.