Douglas Leroy Norton

Douglas Leroy Norton

June 8th 1937 – November 24th 2024

For over 4 decades Douglas (Doug) L. Norton served the families of Southern Arizona, specifically Tucson, as they mournfully laid their loved ones to rest. Doug has now come full circle, and early Sunday morning November 24th, 2024, at the age of 87, Douglas drew his last breath surrounded by family, and quietly, peacefully, left us on his journey to be with his loving wife of 42 years, Marjorie M. Norton, as they watch over us from above.

Doug entered the world on June 8th, 1937, in Bolton Pass, Canada. Growing up in Canada was tough. Having lost his father Percy, when Doug was just a child, he left school and started working at a young age, to help support his mother Gladys Norton and his 3 sisters and brother. At the age of 22, Doug married Marjorie Maureen Crompton and shortly after, had their first son. Due to respiratory issues Doug, Marge and their infant son Michael, moved to Tucson, Arizona, in August of 1960, a stark contrast between the desert southwest, and the cold Canadian weather, but they made it work.

Shortly after arriving in Tucson, Doug started working in the funeral business for Bring’s Funeral Home, initially at least, operating an ambulance and working nights in the funeral home, then eventually becoming a Funeral Director and Manager. Later Doug worked for South Lawn, Carrillo’s Tucson Mortuary, and lastly, Angel Valley Funeral Home, until he finally retired after more than 40 years of helping grieving families. His family will tell you, nothing was more important to him than making sure those who passed were treated with dignity and honor, while at the same time helping the bereaved families through their toughest times.

As time moved forward and the family grew, Doug and Marge welcomed 4 more children, and we can’t forget Doug’s mother-in-law, “Nanny”. Together they traveled throughout Arizona taking in all the state had to offer. When Doug wasn’t working, he and his family enjoyed the desert to its fullest. They routinely took trips out for the day to have a barbecue, or just to go sightseeing. When he needed his fishing fix, they all spent time in the White Mountains, where Doug loved to go fishing and stay at Hidden Rest cabins. He was an avid hunter, especially duck hunting…yes, ducks in the desert! Doug was happiest in his aluminum boat, just trolling for trout. He loved deer and elk hunting, if he could get drawn, and was up at the crack of dawn to go quail or dove hunting, whenever the opportunity presented itself. As Doug got older, he stopped hunting and spent more time simply driving around the desert, so that Marge (Mom), could catch the perfect sunset, or get a quick photo of desert wildlife.

Those of you who knew Doug, knew he always had a joke to tell, or a story to pass on, followed by a chuckle and a smile. He liked to have a good time and get everyone laughing. Doug loved playing cards and going to the dog track to place a bet. Later in life he got hooked on college basketball and loved to watch the Arizona Wildcats play. When they won, he would get so excited, he had a habit of telling you who won, even if you told him, you were recording the game to watch it later…spoiler alert!

Doug is preceded in death by his mother Gladys, wife Marjorie, mother-in-law Hannah (Nanny), brother Brian, brothers-in-law: Gordon Ladd, John Chapman, and Bob McCune.

He is survived by his sisters: Phyllis Ladd, Shirley Chapman, Kay McKune, Sons: Michael (Linda) Norton, Mark (Kassie) Norton, Daughters: Lisa (Mickey) Norton, Phyllis (Brandt) Smith and Melissa (Derek) von Haag; Grandchildren: Heath Norton, Christopher (Melanie) Hopper, Stephen Hopper, Kevin Hopper, Jennifer Norton, Douglas Norton, Stephanie (Chris) Kay, Tiffany (Dustin) Norton, Brianna (Tony) Gigliotti, Hannah Parr, Kirstin (Juan) Smith, and Scarlett von Haag, and 14 great grandchildren.

Visitation will take place on Friday December 20th at:

Angel Vally Funeral Home

2545 N Tucson Blvd

Tucson, AZ 85716

(520) 200-1013

4-5 pm: Family visitation

5-7 pm: Public

7-8 pm Service

Burial on Saturday December 21st at 10:30 am at:

Holy Hope Cemetery

3555 N Oracle Rd

Tucson, AZ