Ronnie Norton

RUSK, TEXAS — A funeral service for Ronald “Ronnie” David Norton (77) of Alto is scheduled for 11:00 Tuesday, July 30, 2024 with visitation before the service at 10:00 at Salem Missionary Baptist Church in Rusk. Services are under the direction of Wallace Thompson Funeral Home. The service will be officiated by Cobey May and Lee Flowers. He will be laid to rest at Salem Cemetery immediately following the service. Pallbearers will be: Lance Crisp, Lee Flowers, Gary Hager, Tony Ray Johnson, Harold Simpson, and Jerry Todd. Honorary Pallbearers will be Steven Baker, Tyler Baker, Jacob Cheatham, Caleb Ferrara, Brent Jones, Jerry McClure, Ken McClure, Ryan Mabry, Shad Mabry, Keith Norton, and Steven Norton.

Ronnie, surrounded by his loving family, went into the presence of the Lord July 27, 2024 after a short illness at UT Health in Jacksonville. He is now with all whom he loved and lost.

Ronnie was born October 10, 1946 in Jacksonville, Texas to the late Archie A. Norton and Marie Norton Penn. In 1968 he married the love of his life Dottie McClure, and they moved to San Diego, California, where he served four years in the Navy. Ronnie and Dottie were married 56 years. During Ronnie’s life, he owned a dairy for ten years, worked in the oil industry, and worked for Cherokee County Appraisal District, where he retired after 27 years as Deputy Chief Appraiser. For many years, he was in the cattle business. After his retirement, cattle became his full time job and the most rewarding for him. He loved the land and the peace that came with being outdoors.

Ronnie’s love was as big as his presence and will be greatly missed by many.

He was preceded in death by his mother, father, brother, James Archie Norton, his precious son Ronald Clay Norton and grandson Scottie Baker.

Left to cherish his memory is wife Dottie Norton of Alto; daughters Julie Stokes and husband Patrick of Tyler; Kara Bowling of Rusk; grandchildren Alison Bowling Jones and husband, Brent, of Bullard; Tyler Baker and wife, Meagan, of Tyler; Juliann Bowling Cheatham and husband, Jacob, of Tyler; Caleb Ferrara of Rusk; Steven Baker and wife, Jessica, of Bullard; Kate Stokes of Washington D.C., Amy Stokes of Austin; great-grandchildren Abigail Baker, Addison Baker, Bryson Perry, Annie Jones, Maggie Jones, Channing Cheatham, and Barrett Baker; brother Jerry Don Norton and wife, Diann; sister Sandra Mabry; as well as many loved and adored nieces, nephews and friends.

The family wishes to extend sincere thanks to his Doctor and nurses at UT Health Jacksonville. The love and care given to him and our family is greatly appreciated and will always be remembered.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Salem Missionary Baptist Church Youth Fund, Attention Dorothy Dosser, PO Box 142, Rusk, Texas 75785.