Frank Charles Norton, Sr, 88 of Salina, beloved family patriarch, lifelong Salina resident, dear friend and colleague to many, passed away at the UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, TX on Saturday, January 19, 2019. Born in Salina October 23, 1930, Frank graduated from Salina High School (1948), Kansas Wesleyan University (1954) and Washburn University Law School, cum laude, in 1956.
Frank met the love of his life, Jeanne Williams, in Salina and they were married in June of 1952. Immediately following graduation from Washburn, Frank & Jeanne moved back to Salina where Frank worked at his father’s law firm Smither, Berkley, Berkley and Norton and ultimately founded the firm now known as Norton, Wasserman, Jones & Kelly, LLC. Practicing law for over 60 years, Frank worked tirelessly with many of the individuals, businesses, institutions, churches and charities that make Salina the wonderful city that it is today.
As an example of Frank’s energy and determination, he decided mid-life to change his lifestyle to a healthy diet and became an exercise enthusiast, for years rising at 4:00 am to run, skip rope, stair step or power walk his way to good health.
That same determination led to a number of honors and awards, honoring him for a lifetime of achievement. None was more humbling to Frank than being honored in 2002 with the Robert K. Weary Award, recognizing the Kansas Bar Association member “lawyer or law firm for their exemplary service and commitment to the goals of the Kansas Bar Foundation.” He was also inducted as an Attorney and Counselor for the United States Supreme Court and received the highest possible peer rating for Legal Ability and Ethical Standards for 30 years.
A dedicated family man and admirer of the rolling Central Kansas landscape, nothing made Frank happier than spending time walking in the pastures around his home with his dog, surrounded by family members and inquiring about every aspect of their lives. His curiosity, wisdom and caring was a gift to all who shared those times with him.
Preceded in death by his parents Helen Schrader and Frank Norton, sisters Helen Norton, Teresa Moore and brother Chester. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Jeanne, brother Jerry Norton and his wife Margaret of River Forest, IL; son Frank C. Norton, Jr, of Coto de Caza, CA and his wife Patrice and granddaughter Courtney; daughter Laura Skidmore of Newport Beach, CA and granddaughter Emerson; son Bryan of Mission Hills, KS and his wife Julie and their children Alexandria, Danielle and Johnnie; daughter Eve Sullivan of Dallas, TX and her husband Dan and their children Trevor and Samantha. Frank is also survived by a wealth of friends and colleagues who admired his integrity, humility, generosity and thoughtfulness. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
A service in celebration of Frank’s life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Salina on Friday, February 1, at 1:00 pm. If desired, memorial gifts may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, Kansas Wesleyan University or Washburn University.
First Presbyterian Church:
Beth Cormack
[email protected]
First Presbyterian Church
308 S. 8th St.
Salina, KS 67401
785.825.0226
Re: Frank Norton Memorial Fund
Washburn Law School Foundation
1700 SW College Avenue
Topeka, Kansas. 66621
Re: Frank Norton Memorial Fund (include on Check)
Kansas Wesleyan:
Check Memo should state Frank Norton Memorial Fund
Mail checks to:
Kansas Wesleyan Campus Box 40
100 East Claflin
Salina, Kansas 67401