Richard L Norton was born on April 9, 1947, in Tecumseh, Nebraska. He passed away suddenly at home on February 5, 2023, at the age of 75. His parents were Mariam Norton and Elmer Richard Norton. Richard’s father died in the Korean war in 1951 and Richard was therefore raised by a single mother.
In 1955, the Norton’s moved to Topeka, Kansas where Richard went to school graduating from Topeka High School in 1965. He was gifted in industrial arts and was interested in mechanical things. He received a degree in machine tool technology from Pittsburg State University. He spent most of his working career at the Farmland Refinery in Coffeyville, Kansas where he made numerous friends.
On March 3, 1995, Richard and Sandy Trotter were married. Soon after that they purchased land at Mound Valley, Kansas where they had their home built. Sandy and Richard spent countless hours working to clear trees and improve the acreage where they lived. He was rightly proud of their farm. They raised a few cattle, but mostly rented out their cropland. Richard loved living in the country.
Richard loved his many friends. He sometimes helped elderly neighbors by bringing them meals or doing errands for them. He particularly enjoyed his farmer friends and truckdriver friends. He sometimes rode with his farm friends on their machinery. Similarly, he enjoyed day trips with trucker friends.
Richard worked on the local water board for numerous years. He enjoyed working with his fellow board members. He enjoyed watching and participating in sports. He was a very good softball player. He greatly enjoyed watching the Kansas City Chiefs on tv. He was looking forward to the Super Bowl as he was a fan with knowledge of the players and the game in general.
Richard had strong opinions about many subjects. But those who knew him knew that he was a kind man with a heart of gold. He especially enjoyed children.
Richard was predeceased by his parents and a brother, Charles Kesinger.
He is survived by his wife, Sandy and a brother Dennis and his wife Jeanette. He also leaves behind his children Gary Trotter and Debbie Moore and her husband Dwayne as well as grandchildren Madison and Mathew.
Friends are invited to sign the register and greet the family on Friday, February 10, 2023, at David W. Barnes Funeral Home from 4:00pm to 6:00pm with an eulogy following. The family suggests memorials be made payable to the Shriner’s Hospital For Children and they may be left with or sent in care of David W. Barnes Funeral Home 306 N Cline Road Coffeyville, KS 67337.
To share a memory or to leave the family a message of condolence, please visit www.dwbfh.com
David W. Barnes Funeral Home is Honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.
