Charles Feeney Norton

Lt. Col Charles Norton (Rtd USMC), 84, of Tracy, passed away on Monday, May 16, 2022, at 6:30 p.m., at Stanford Health Care ValleyCare in Pleasanton, Ca.
On June 3, 1937, Charles was born to Ernest and Emma Santini-Norton. Charles Norton graduated with the Class of 1955 from Saint Ignatius High School in San Francisco. Charles participated in boxing and football during his high school years at SI.
On June 29, 1957, Charles married the love of his life, Betty Jean, at Saint Agnes Church in San Francisco. They shared over 50 years of marriage together. From their marriage, they had two children, Deborah and Michael. The family continued to grow and was blessed with four grandsons.
On November 11, 1957, Charles enlisted as a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps. Charles served during the Cuban Missile Crisis at the Bay of Pigs incident. He is a veteran of foreign war, having served several tours in Vietnam and retired in 1980 at the rank of Lt. Colonel.
While in the Marine Corps, Charles earned several degrees, a Bachelor of Science from the University of San Francisco and a Master's Degree in Marketing and Business from the University of Southern California.
Charles served the community as a Scout Master for Cub Scouts in Rockledge, Virginia, and later as acting Scout Master for Boy Scout Troop 79 in Yucca Valley, Ca. He also served the community in his later empty nest years in his hometown of Tracy as a member of the Rotary Club, the Moose Lodge, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Stockton Marine Corp Club. Through the SMCC, Charles volunteered as a graveside honor guard for young soldiers who were killed in action.
Charles' passion in life was training German Shepherd dogs with his wife, Betty. They enjoyed traveling to Germany and Austria to learn about training German Shepherds and often bringing home dogs for their sport and companionship. Charles was a long-time member of the San Jose Schutzhund club and later founded several other clubs locally in the area. Aside from training dogs, Charles had a passion for genealogy research of family, and he also enjoyed collecting modern renditions of American Western era rifles and revolvers.
Charles was especially fond of his lifelong friendship with his Saint Ignatius Alumni class of 1955. He always looked forward to the reunions and the Christmas party get-togethers. Charles was also a devout Catholic and loved his local parish, St. Bernard's church. He was very fond of his social and "foodie" activities with the St. Bernard's Italian Catholic Federation.
Charles was preceded by his wife, Betty, who died in 2007. Left to carry on Charles' memory and zeal for life are his daughter, Deborah Black, her husband, David Black, and their son, Charles Black. So also are his son, Michael Norton, his wife Lisa, and their sons, Matthew Norton, Joshua Norton, Ryan Norton, and his wife, Jordyn. In addition, Charles adopted canine companions KC and Addy.
A celebration of the life of Charles F. Norton will be at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 2, 2022, in the Fry Memorial Chapel on 550 South Central Avenue in Tracy, Ca. Friends and family may visit Fry's Chapel from 12:00 - 9:00 p.m. for visitation and viewing. On what would have been Charles's 85th birthday, the funeral services will take place on Friday, June 3, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Fry's Memorial Chapel. Graveside service immediately following at Tracy Public Cemetery, Schulte Road. A celebration of life/birthday luncheon for Charles will follow the graveside service.
An online guest book is available for condolences and special messages to the family at www.frymemorialchapel.com Chapel services on both days will be live-streamed via his tribute page.
 

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