David Lee Norton

     David Lee Norton, 72, of Omaha, NE, passed away March 2, 2024.

     He was born on July 10, 1951 in Washington D.C. to Paul and Margaret (Chandler) Norton. David had a vibrant childhood, growing up with his four siblings: Barbara, Paul, Beverly, and Daniel. These Air Force “brats” lived in Caribou, ME; Seville, Spain; Rapid City, SD; Agana, Guam; and Omaha, NE. David's years in Guam were a highlight of his life; he returned several times and loved to stay in touch with the friends he made during that time. He graduated from Bellevue High School in 1969 and then moved to Chicago, IL to attend Moody Bible Institute.

     David met Mary Leeder at Moody in the spring of 1970, and they married at the Sister Bay Baptist Church in August of 1972. In their 51 years of marriage, they lived in Chicago, IL; San Jose, CA; and Omaha, NE. Together, David and Mary loved to travel the world, often traveling back to places he had lived growing up. Some of his favorite places to visit were Hawaii, Yosemite, the Black Hills, and various countries in Europe.

     David and Mary welcomed their first daughter, Kristi, in October 1975 and their second daughter, Jennifer, in 1981. David also had a soft spot for their shelties, Runway (1985-1997), Steinway (1997-2010), Piper (2010-2020), and Cessna (2010-2024), treating each as a valued member of the family. There were also some cats over the years that he managed to tolerate.

     David began his 40-year career in the airline industry with Delta Airlines in 1973. Working also with AirCal and American Airlines through the decades allowed him and his family to travel frequently and extensively, visiting places in the USA and abroad. David loved to travel and won a free cruise from his employer in 1985, which became his first of 23 cruise ship adventures. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, his family and his good friends, Gary and Becky.

     David also loved flying and earned his private pilot’s license in 1970 and a commercial license in 1990. He owned partnerships in two planes over the years and loved to take himself, family, and friends “for a ride”.

     Following his retirement in 2013, David found joy in researching and writing about his family ancestry and working on home projects. He also enjoyed being the lead usher at Saratoga Federated Church, greeting and building connections each Sunday.

     David was preceded in death by his parents, Margaret (1971) and Paul (2010); and his sister-in-law, Susan Leeder (2023). 

     He will be missed by his wife, Mary, with whom he was blessed to share over 51 years of marriage with; daughters, Kristi (Ryan) McComas and Jennifer (Lee) Curtis; siblings, Barb (Dan) Kees, Paul (Carol), Bev (Rick) Gaudet, and Dan (Suzie); brother-in-law, William (Sandy) Leeder; and a great many nephews and nieces.

     David will be laid to rest in Little Sister Cemetery in the Town of Liberty Grove, WI with a private committal officiated by Rev. Dr. Mark Billington.

     Memorials may be given in David’s name to Covenant Presbyterian Church (15002 Blondo St., Omaha, NE 68118) or The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago, Alumni Association (820 N. LaSalle Blvd., Chicago, IL 60610).

     Braman Mortuary in Omaha, NE and Casperson Funeral Home in Sister Bay are assisting Norton family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of David may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.caspersonfuneralhome.com.

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