Orea Allen Norton, Sr.

Mr. Orea Allen Norton Sr., 83, of Hazel Green, went to be with the Lord on Friday morning.  His sincere personality and transparency made him a well-liked friend and member of the community.

Mr. Norton was a faithful Christian and a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church where he had served as a deacon.  He had taught Sunday School for over 30 years with over 60+ attendees, and loved to play guitar, mandolin, and banjo with his friends in worship.

He was born and raised in Louisville, Alabama where he graduated from high school before serving in the United States Navy.  He graduated from Troy State University with a degree in mathematics before beginning a 35 year career with Marshall Space Flight Center.

Orea's hobbies included being a ham radio operator, photography, astronomy, and traveling.   After his retirement, he visited every state in the Union with his wife, Kim.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Orea Carlton & Lillie Rue Norton;  His sister, Bobbie Price;  His brother, Carlton Rayvern Norton.

Surviving family members include his wife of 55 years, Kim Norton;  His son, Orea Allen "Al" Norton Jr and his wife, Cindy;  His daughter, Susan Ostrzycki and her husband, Lon; His daughter, Barbara "Barbie" Tanner and her husband, David;  His daughter, Mary Beth Woodall and her husband, Joseph; His grandchildren: Alan & Becca Ostrzycki, Lisa & Jim Crowder, Rachel & Cameron Norton, Tim & Meghan Norton, Dan Norton, Grady & Emily Norton, Sharon Norton, Lilly Tanner, Simon Norton, Joel Norton, Rebekah Norton, Harley Tanner, Stephen Norton, Hannah Norton, Jake Tanner, and Luke Woodall. His great-grandchildren, Cooper Ostrzycki, Kelsi Crowder, Hudson Ostrzycki, Henry Norton, and Ava Grace Norton.

The family will receive friends on Sunday from 1:30pm until 3pm at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Hazel Green.  A Celebration of Life will then follow at 3pm at the church with Pastor Al Norton, Pastor Lon Ostrzycki, and Pastor Alan Ostrzycki officiating.  Following the church service, a committal service will be held at Charity Cemetery.

Hazel Green Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.