Harry Kendall Norton Jr.'s Obituary
Harry Kendall Norton Jr., of Olive Branch, MS passed away on May 31, 2024, at the age of 83. Harry was born in Memphis, TN on February 12, 1941. He attended Messick High School before enlisting in the United States Navy where he served 4 years of active duty as an Engineman. His career path included 3 years with Illinois Central Railroad and retirement after 20 years with Northwest Airlines, where he made many deep friendships. Harry was also an entrepreneur in opening a restaurant, Harry’s Deli, with his wife.
In 1965, Harry married the love of his life, Linda Norton. Together they made memories that will last a lifetime. They shared a love for traveling, golfing, tennis, and dancing. You could find them most weekends at the Memphis River City Bop Club cutting it up on the dance floor.
Harry’s favorite hobbies included riding motorcycles and fishing with his family and golfing with his buddies at Wedgewood Golf Club. His great nieces’ and nephews’ favorite memories were time spent with him riding in the golf cart, hitting golf balls, fishing, and hours spent in the garage having meaningful conversations they will never forget.
Harry was a devout Christian whom you would often find reading his Bible, listening to sermons, and writing letters to religious leaders worldwide. Harry’s memory will forever inspire those who knew him. His integrity, compassion, and unwavering faith will always be remembered by all who had the privilege of crossing his path. He was humble, generous, kind, and loving, and leaves us with a beautiful example of how life should be lived and shared.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Linda Botto Norton, his brother James Russell Howell, and his sister Dianna Howell Davis. Harry leaves 11 beloved nieces and nephews: Kellie, David (Gina), Heather (Daniel), Paige (Mike), Jay, Tony, David, Christina, Mary Ann, Melissa (Dane), and Stephanie (Matthew), along with 13 great nieces and nephews: Addie (Trey), Zack (Madeline), Will, Blake, Luke, Gage, Joanna (James), Clay, Davina, Morgan, Zachary, Nicholas, and Mason.
He was preceded in death by his dad Harry Kendall Norton Sr., mom Joan Novarese Howell, stepdad James Samuel Howell, and sister Iris Norton Cook.
A celebration of Harry’s life will be held on Saturday, June 8th at 2:00 with a service in the Fireside Chapel at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 5668 Poplar Ave. Memphis, TN.
The family kindly requests donations to be given in his memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org/donate.
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