Fred Norton

Fred Norton, 82, of Moberly, Missouri, passed away Wednesday July 26, 2023 at his home in Moberly 

He was born, July 20, 1941, in Moberly, Missouri, the son of the late Norman and Charlotte (Richardson) Norton of Cairo, Missouri.  Fred married Nancy Jane Goodding of Atlanta, Missouri, July 21, 1962.  He is survived by his wife Nancy; two sons, Todd (Molly) Norton of Columbia, Missouri; Troy (Melinda) Norton of Columbia, Missouri; one sister, Nancy (Dennie) Bowden of Cumming, Georgia; five grandchildren, Alex Norton of Denver, Colorado; Drew Norton of Columbia, Missouri; Savannah (Landon) Brand of Columbia, Missouri; Zack Norton of St. Louis, Missouri; and Maggie Norton of Carthage, New York; and one great grandson, Forrest Brand of Columbia, Missouri.  He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Fred attended elementary school at Northeast R-IV in Jacksonville, Missouri and graduated from Northeast R-IV High School in Cairo in 1959.  He was a talented basketball player during his years at Cairo High School.  He attended college and played basketball at Trenton Junior College and attended Northeast Missouri State University, now Truman University, in Kirksville, Missouri.

Fred began his farming career in Cairo, Missouri in 1963 after the illness and early death of his father in 1963.  He and Nancy were chosen Randolph County Farm Family of the Year in the 1970s.  He was a member of NFO, Randolph County Extension and Jacksonville Cairo Unity Church.  He served on the school board for Northeast R-IV for several years, was a basketball official for 14 years, and was Executor of Grand Prairie Cemetery for more than 25 years.  Fred and Nancy attended most sporting events at Northeast R-IV and nearly all basketball games since the mid-1960s until his illness.  Fred became an avid golfer and loved the game.  He was a member of Heritage Hills Country Club and played in the ‘noon game’ for many years, up to 5 or 6 days a week after he retired from farming.  He was a founding member of The Cairo Open and played in all 43 tournaments, including this past June.  Fred’s first love has always been his family and friends, with playing golf coming in a close second.

Family and friends will miss his guidance and common sense, and especially his dry wit and humorous story telling.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Jacksonville Cairo Unity Church or Northeast R-IV Booster Club.

Words of comfort and support may be shared with the family at a visitation to be held Sunday, July 30, 2023, 2pm - 5pm at the Cater Funeral Home.  Funeral services honoring Fred's life will be Monday, July 31,2023, 10:30am in the Cater Funeral Home Chapel.  Committal prayer and burial will follow at the Grand Prairie Cemetery.