Thomas Wesley "T. W." Norton

Memorial services for T. W. Norton, 85, of Elida, will be held at 10:00 AM, Wed., Oct. 8, 2025 at the First Baptist Church with Rev. Cheston Fair officiating.  Tommy Richards, Durward Dixon, Shaun Dimmitt, Jerrid Richards, Casey Richards, Morgan Fraze, Trenton Dimmitt, Anthony Dimmitt and Ricky White will serve as honorary pallbearers.  Those desiring to make memorial contributions may send them to either the Alzheimer's Association (https://www.alz.org/) or to St. Jude's Children's Hospital https://www.stjude.org/.

Thomas Wesley Norton, known as T. W., was born Nov. 28, 1939 in Estancia, NM.  Mr. Norton grew up in Clovis, NM where he graduated from high school in 1957.  Following his graduation, he joined the United States Navy where he served as an electrician.  During his time of service, T. W. spent 13 months stationed in Antarctica.  He would often recount his experiences, and would comment it might be cold, but not as cold as Antarctica.

Following his discharge from the Navy, Mr. Norton made his home in Las Vegas, NV, and continued to earn his living as an electrician.  After the death of his wife, he relocated his childhood sweetheart, Bonnie Longo.  As children, they lived two doors apart, and he often commented that he had loved her since she was eight years old.  The couple was married on Dec. 30, 1992.  By the time of his death, they had known each other for 71 years.

In recent years, they made their home in Elida where their daughter lives.  He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Elida.  T. W. was well known in the community for his generous acts of service.  His son-in-law had gifted him with a lawn mower, so he utilized it by mowing the lawns of anyone who needed it without charge.  He would tell them that since the mower was a gift, he was paying it forward my using it to bless others.

He was also known for his beautiful creations in wood.  His woodworking skills were remarkable, and he made countless items featuring crosses.  His creations included such things as ammunition boxes and wooden books, each featuring hand carved lids with personalized inscriptions.  Many family members and friends have been blessed with his artworks.

He is survived by Bonnie, his wife of nearly 33 years of Elida; four daughters and sons-in-law, Annette and Tommy Richards of Las Vegas, NV, Tina and Durward Dixon of Elida, Michelle and Shawn Dimmitt of Elida and Kortney and Robby Hall of Ruidoso; eleven grandchildren, Jerrid (LeAnne) Richards, Casey (Chelsea) Richards, Morgan (Amanda) Fraze, Kendra (Mike) Soto, Sunni Dixon, Trenton (Audrey) Dimmitt, Anthony (Shelby) Dimmitt, Krista (Ethan) Spice, Wesley (Brittany) Hall, Quade (Kristen) Hall and Kaylee Hall; and 20 great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother and his sisters.

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