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Ralph Joseph ‘Bud’ Norton

ESCANABA — Ralph Joseph “Bud” Norton passed away peacefully Monday, Nov. 2, 2020 at Cumberland Medical Center in Crossville, Tenn. at the age of 96.

He was born March 25, 1924 to Herbert J. (H.J.) and Ruth Norton, of Gladstone, the only son of their five children.

Bud is a decorated U.S. Navy Veteran of World War II and the Korean Conflict, serving in the South Pacific theater as a naval aviator, achieving the rank of Lieutenant-Senior Grade. He also served in the China Sea during the Korean Conflict with hundreds and hundreds of take offs and landings from various aircraft carriers. The discipline and patriotism he learned in the Navy never left him, as friends and family will attest.

After proudly serving his country for 10 years, Bud returned to the community he so loved, Escanaba, and joined his family’s business group, which included the Clairmont Transfer Company, Northern Motor Rebuilders, Southern Motor Rebuilders and the Northern Motor Ford Dealership. After the death of his father, Bud became President of the Clairmont Transfer Company until his retirement.

Bud married the love of his life, Marcella D. LaFontaine, in1949. They moved to Florida where Bud completed forestry school. At the onset of the Korean Conflict, Bud was recalled to active duty where once again he proudly served his nation. At the completion of the Korean Conflict, Bud and Marcella moved back to Escanaba where they made their home for the remainder of their 71 years of marriage. They raised seven children and enjoyed their beautiful home overlooking Ludington Park and their summer cottage in Ford River.

Throughout his life, Bud maintained a keen interest in aviation. He owned and operated PAT Airlines in the 1960s and regularly visited the air show in Oshkosh. As a World War II and Korean War pilot, he was always a welcomed addition to the air show events. He loved seeing the restored and meticulously maintained aircraft he once flew, like the TBF Grumman Avenger and could recite every technical detail about how the planes were built, how they handled, and how they operated.

He is survived by his wife Marcella, his seven children, Lani Way, Laura (Scott) Johnson, Mark Norton (Gaye Smaniotto), Holly (Mike Lum) Norton, Jeff (Theresa) Norton, Ruth (Jim) O’Toole and Scott Norton (Christine Pezel); along with nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Elaine Sigan of Gladstone, and many nieces and nephews.

Bud is preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Irene Norton, Helen Norton and Mary Burroughs; brothers-in-law, Jack Burroughs and Howard Sigan; nieces, Judy Olsen and Janet Arbour and nephew, Donald Sigan.

Bud was a cheerful man with a wonderful sense of humor and positive outlook on life. When asked how he was doing, his standard reply was “Never better,” and he meant it. He loved his family and his friends. He was a proud American and regularly wore his WWII Veteran cap when going out. Bud took great pride in his community and truly loved everything the Upper Peninsula and Escanaba had to offer.

In lieu of flowers, his family requests that donations be made to the Upper Peninsula Honor Flight at www.upperpeninsulahonorflight.org.

A celebration of his life will be planned at a later time.

The Allo Coolman Funeral Homes are assisting the Norton family.Please visit www.allofh.com to send online condolences to his family.