Jason L.-Norton-Obituary

Tech Sgt. Jason L. Norton

Miami, Oklahoma

About

LOCATION
Miami, Oklahoma

Obituary

Send Flowers

Two U.S. airmen, one from Oklahoma and the other from Texas, were killed in Iraq when their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device while they were escorting a convoy near Taji, the Department of Defense said Tuesday. Tech. Sgt. Jason L. Norton, 31, of Miami, Okla., and Staff Sgt. Brian McElroy, 28, of San Antonio, Texas, died on Sunday. Both men were assigned to the 3rd Security Forces Squadron at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. Norton's wife, Cristina Norton, said he was devoted to their two children, a son, 7, and a daughter, 8. "He was the best father in the world, and I said that before anything happened," she said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "Family was his everything." "For all of us, this has hit home. These two were family to us," Chief Master Sgt. William Watson, manager of the on-base security forces unit, said at a news conference. "It was a very hard blow for us when news of their passing came to us." Cristina Norton wanted her out-of-state family here with her, so Elmendorf personnel took it upon themselves to take up a collection for plane tickets, according to Watson. "People emptied their pocketbooks," he said. Norton grew up in Miami and attended high school there and the military regards that as his hometown of record, but he has had several different postings. He joined the Air Force in March 1992. He was stationed at McConnell Air Force Base in Kansas, F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming, Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma and Anderson Air Force Base in Guam before landing at Elmendorf in 2002. The couple met when he was stationed at Tinker and she was a college student. Christina Norton said they both enjoyed Alaska, where she works as a school teacher. "We were hoping to finish out his career here," she said. Eve Knoll, Norton's sister-in-law, said Norton was an outdoorsman. "He was a big hunter," she said. "He got a bear last season. He loved to fish and hunt elk and deer." He was also fond of his military specialty. "He was a canine trainer for the Air Force and he loved working with the dogs," Knoll said. "He loved it." Norton was part of the 586th Expeditionary Mission Support Group, which has duties that include transportation and security, said Capt. Kelley Jeter, chief of external communications for the 3rd Wing. Norton, part of the security forces component of that unit, had been in Iraq since Nov. 11. Norton received the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart posthumously on Monday. He also had at least six other medals, including four Air Force achievement medals. Norton and McElroy were the second and third airmen from Elmendorf to die in recent combat. Airman Carl Anderson was killed in 2004. -- Jason L. Norton was 4,000 miles away in Alaska when longtime buddy Scott Miller, who was living in Oklahoma, lost his wife to cancer in March. "He made it a point to come down from Alaska and be with me and my family," Miller said. "He's a very outstanding guy in my book." Norton, 32, of Miami, Okla., was killed Jan. 22 by a roadside bomb near Taji. He was a patrol and K-9 officer assigned to Elmendorf Air Force Base. Norton wrestled and played football in high school, graduating in 1991. He joined the Air Force in March 1992, and served at bases in Kansas, Wyoming, Oklahoma and Guam. Norton's wife, Cristina Norton, said he was devoted to their two children, son Dalton, 7, and daughter Rebecca, 8. Norton was a fan of car racing, especially of Dale Earnhardt Jr., and his favorite football team was the Kansas City Chiefs. "He was a big hunter," said Eve Knoll, Norton's sister-in-law. "He got a bear last season. He loved to fish and hunt elk and deer."

Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

Jason,

It's been 9 years and I can assure you that you and the ultimate sacrifice that you and Brian paid has not been forgotten. I think of you both daily.

Never, ever forgotten.

To the family and friends of Tech. Sgt. Jason L. Norton:
It has truly been my honor to sign Jason's guest book these past few years. Unfortunately, due to complications from my Multiple Sclerosis, this may be the last message I'm able to write. Please forgive me and know that Jason will always be remembered in my home.
With love and respect ~ Peggy

January 22, 2012
To the family and friends of Tech. Sgt. Jason L. Norton:
Always remembering Jason. "Some gave all."

The flag is flying in the sky
A daily reminder of who and why
We sit here remembering them today
These heroes that now lie in their grave.

While here on earth, the bravest ones
A soldier, a mother, a daughter, a son
The father's who went far off to war
To ensure our safety and so much more

To keep our children happy and free,
Someone must do this job, you see
So, today remember the soldiers who served,
Because this is one...

As I prepare remarks to be given on Memorial Day, I am drawn once again to the memory of Jason and Brian...We are not just the beneficiaries of their bravery, we are the stewards of their sacrifice...

To the family and friends of Tech. Sgt. Jason L. Norton:
Please accept my remembrance of Jason on the anniversary of his passing and know that he will never be forgotten.
Peggy Childers
www.IraqWarHeroes.org

To the family and friends of Tech. Sgt. Jason L. Norton:
Remembering Jason on the anniversary of his passing. May our fallen heroes never be forgotten!
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org

On this Memorial Day, I've set aside time to reflect on the past and remember that your family is now a Gold Star Family, too. Tech Sgt. Norton, thank you for you service and duty. Thank you for paying the ultimate sacrifice...to protect our country and our freedom.
Sister of Spc. Jeffrey S. Henthorn (Balad, Iraq Feb. 8, 2005)

God bless this special soldier and his grieving loved ones. Be by their side in their time of need.

[email protected]

”Honor and Remember” - “Project Compassion” We love our Soldiers! We love our country and we cannot express enough love and compassion to the families of our fallen heroes. War does not discriminate – It breaks our hearts to see the faces of the fallen. We want to give this gift to you. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization! Over 1,450 portraits have been completed and shipped to the parents and or spouse - at no cost as this is a gift from one American to another!
Contact us...