Dean Norton

Dean Lester Norton, 66, of Salt Lake City, Utah, passed away on Monday, January 25th, 2016, after a long and heroic battle with cancer.

The memorial service will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, January 30th, 2016 at Wasatch Presbyterian Church located at 1626 South 1700 East Salt Lake City, Utah. The burial will be the same day at 1:30pm in the Santaquin City cemetery located at 100 East 300 South Santaquin, Utah.

Dean Lester Norton was born in Blue Island, Illinois on May 23rd, 1949. He graduated from Thornridge High School and studied at North Central College. He served as an airman in the United States Air Force. He went on to learn the printing trade as an apprentice at the Chicago Tribune and later worked for many years at The Wall Street Journal. Dean never stopped learning and later became certified as both an EMT and CNA. He donated many hours to his community in these roles of emergency and medical services.

Dean was a widower of his beloved Lynn Marie Zappen-Olsen. They were married for 8 wonderful years. Dean rejoiced in the addition of each of his new family members and was happy to consider them his own. Dean was fortunate to spend the last 5 years of his life with his sweetheart Linda Hammond, who gave him the beautiful gift of a companion and caregiver.

Dean was a loving son, brother, father and grandfather. He spent many hours devoted to knowing and loving his family. He created a space for each individual to have a special place in his heart and home. He made unique sacrifices to move across the country so that he could be very present in the lives of his children and grandchildren. He attended gatherings and events at important times and openly showered each of his loved ones with attention, love, and support.

Dean was a passionate man who always did everything to the best of his ability, both in work and play. In his leisure time he enjoyed trains, both life-size and miniature. He created many precise and detailed miniature replica train layouts. He was an extremely devoted and loyal Chicago White Sox fan. He also had a great love of most things Chicago including: the Bears, the Bulls, the Blackhawks, typical Chicago food like Chicago dogs, Chicago-style pizza, and beef sandwiches. He would also want it clear that his love for Chicago did not include the Chicago Cubs, who, he would point out, still haven't won a World Series in over a century. He also enjoyed biking and cross-country skiing. He loved to travel with his beloved companions and see new places and faces as well as reunite with old friends. His Irish heritage was very important to him and the pinnacle of this part of him was being able to travel with his two sons to Ireland, where he got to experience the Irish people and culture to its fullest. He was an avid reader and enjoyed his membership in various book clubs. He enjoyed running throughout his life but especially in his older years. He proudly trained for, and successfully completed, several races which supported the research and treatment of cancer. This had deep personal meaning in his life. He was also an actively-involved member of the American Legion and he belonged to the Communication Workers of America Union.

Dean is survived by his sweetheart Linda Hammond. His children and their families Jeff (Crystal) Norton and their children Sarah, Marcus and Alexander. James (Julie) Norton and their children Jacob, Maxwell, Adalyn and Sophia. Michael (Jennifer) Olsen and their son Cache and their stepchildren Kylie, Haylie, Kourtney, Kayla, and Cole, Tyler Olsen and his children Ayden and Lilly and his stepchildren Krysta, Brittany, and Madisen, Kelby (Jeramy) Woodland and their children Ryder, Haydyn, Ava, Lucus, and Cooper. He is also survived by his mother Dorothy Norton, his brother Dale Norton,and his sister Edie Wood. He is also survived by his sisters Susan (Charles) Evanson, Patricia (Michael) Bitto, and Kimberly Stone. He is also survived by many nephews and nieces as well as other family members and friends.

Dean is preceded in death by his wife Lynn Marie Zappen-Olsen, his father Clarence Lester Norton, Jr., his mother Carol Lorene Fagan-Ball, and his grandson David James Norton