1943
Ray
2024
Ray Ellison Norton
September 19, 1943 — July 24, 2024
Ray Ellison Norton, at the age of 80, passed away July 24, 2024, at his home in Midway, UT.
He was born to Doyle Ellison and Thelma Norton on Sept. 19, 1943, in Heber City. He had one brother, Clair, whom he was particularly close to, after the passing of their father at an early age. Ray grew up learning a strong work ethic, always having a job and staying busy, whether it was milking cows at the local dairy or delivering papers before school. This became his became his signature character throughout his life. Everything he did, he put his whole heat into it. He had strength, determination and completed and accomplished most everything he set his mind to.
He loved sports, especially football, playing in high school and getting a scholarship at BYU. He graduated from Wasatch High Schol in 1961, with many great friends he kept throughout his life, that he cherished. He served an LDS mission in the Central states which was always a great accomplishment of his and was very proud of.
He met and married LaRue Bastian, from Weston, ID. in 1966. She was a receptionist at a doctor’s office that he was sent to in Salt Lake City, after a minor car accident. Ray’s character and vibrant personality won her over and they married 4 months later. They had three children and made their home in the Heber Valley.
Ray started working at the Mayflower mine after his mission, then started his career in construction, residential and commercial, which was his passion. He built many homes here in the valley over many years, with his longtime friend and partner, Brent Lewis, as Norton & Lewis Construction. He went to Hawaii to work during the winter months, then returned home when the snow melted. He moved his family in 1980 to Maui, HI, fulltime. He established Norton Cabinets & Millwork there, with impressive, beautiful custom homes, remodels, and commercial properties. Among them he built a museum for Father Damien on the island of Molokai, which was a great challenge using barges from Maui to transport materials. Ray loved Hawaii and made many friends he called family over the years, but always dreamed of moving back to Utah. He finally did, adding the Old Swiss Square building in Midway and the private home of LDS President Thomas Monson, to his list of proud accomplishments.
Ray never quit working and keeping busy. He loved doing any odd repairs or helping with a re-model for a friend. He always made time to chat and truly enjoyed hearing about your day. Is smile and laughter were genuine and contagious and will be greatly missed!
He is survived by his wife, LaRue, daughters Audra (Cory) Ashton, Diana (Mike) Naylor, four grandchildren, Derika Lemley, Shoni Norton, Bailee (Michael) Vogel, Paden Ashton and one great-grandchild, Averi LaRue Vogel.
Preceded in death by his son, Brent Norton, brother Clair Norton, and nephew Ryan Norton.
Funeral services will be held at the Fox Den Ward, 250 E 200 S Midway, UT, at 11:00am. Interment will be at the Vine Bluff Cemetery in Nephi.
To stream the services, please visit the link below:
https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/103191/hash:7845476FD7C72CA0
In lieu of flowers, donations towards funeral services would be sincerely appreciated.
He was born to Doyle Ellison and Thelma Norton on Sept. 19, 1943, in Heber City. He had one brother, Clair, whom he was particularly close to, after the passing of their father at an early age. Ray grew up learning a strong work ethic, always having a job and staying busy, whether it was milking cows at the local dairy or delivering papers before school. This became his became his signature character throughout his life. Everything he did, he put his whole heat into it. He had strength, determination and completed and accomplished most everything he set his mind to.
He loved sports, especially football, playing in high school and getting a scholarship at BYU. He graduated from Wasatch High Schol in 1961, with many great friends he kept throughout his life, that he cherished. He served an LDS mission in the Central states which was always a great accomplishment of his and was very proud of.
He met and married LaRue Bastian, from Weston, ID. in 1966. She was a receptionist at a doctor’s office that he was sent to in Salt Lake City, after a minor car accident. Ray’s character and vibrant personality won her over and they married 4 months later. They had three children and made their home in the Heber Valley.
Ray started working at the Mayflower mine after his mission, then started his career in construction, residential and commercial, which was his passion. He built many homes here in the valley over many years, with his longtime friend and partner, Brent Lewis, as Norton & Lewis Construction. He went to Hawaii to work during the winter months, then returned home when the snow melted. He moved his family in 1980 to Maui, HI, fulltime. He established Norton Cabinets & Millwork there, with impressive, beautiful custom homes, remodels, and commercial properties. Among them he built a museum for Father Damien on the island of Molokai, which was a great challenge using barges from Maui to transport materials. Ray loved Hawaii and made many friends he called family over the years, but always dreamed of moving back to Utah. He finally did, adding the Old Swiss Square building in Midway and the private home of LDS President Thomas Monson, to his list of proud accomplishments.
Ray never quit working and keeping busy. He loved doing any odd repairs or helping with a re-model for a friend. He always made time to chat and truly enjoyed hearing about your day. Is smile and laughter were genuine and contagious and will be greatly missed!
He is survived by his wife, LaRue, daughters Audra (Cory) Ashton, Diana (Mike) Naylor, four grandchildren, Derika Lemley, Shoni Norton, Bailee (Michael) Vogel, Paden Ashton and one great-grandchild, Averi LaRue Vogel.
Preceded in death by his son, Brent Norton, brother Clair Norton, and nephew Ryan Norton.
Funeral services will be held at the Fox Den Ward, 250 E 200 S Midway, UT, at 11:00am. Interment will be at the Vine Bluff Cemetery in Nephi.
To stream the services, please visit the link below:
https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/103191/hash:7845476FD7C72CA0
In lieu of flowers, donations towards funeral services would be sincerely appreciated.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ray Ellison Norton, please visit our flower store.
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