Norman Cyril Horton

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Horton, Norman Cyril Age 99, of Oviedo, FL, formerly of St. Paul and Rochester, MN died March 30, 2015. He was born September 15, 1915 in Augusta, WI. Preceded in death by parents, Rollie Horton and Harriet Embury; his first wife of 32 years, Lucille Trembley, and second wife of 33 years, Norma Cullen Abbott; brother, Keith Horton; sister, Virginia Kratt; and sons, Norman Jr., Roland, and Eugene. Survived by son, Thomas N. Horton of Winter Springs, FL and daughters Jo Ann (Duane) Samuelson of San Diego, CA; Jeanne Talmadge of St. Paul, MN; Rebecca (John) Penovich of Silver Spring, MD, daughter-in-law, Jo Ann Horton of Burnsville; step-children, Jamey Lindenau of Shoreview, MN; Connie Abbott-Foster (Deanna Foster) of Woodbury, MN; Edward Abbott (Marsha) of Mattoon, IL; Mari Lynn (Terry) Fik, of Chicago, IL; Andrew Abbott of St. Paul, MN; 19 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren and many other relatives. Norman was a lifelong member of Central Park Methodist Church, an activist for many causes and a prolific St. Paul Pioneer Press "Letter to Editor" writer since high school. Founder and owner of Norm's Auto Parts in St. Paul for 38 years and J and B Used Auto Parts, Inc. in Orlando, FL since 1975, Horton served in the U.S. Army during World War II and in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCCs) 1933-1934. He enjoyed training young people for the automobile business. He trained young men to be mechanics under the G.I. Bill and filled in as night instructor at the old St. Paul vocational school. Norman worked at Northern Pump Co. 1941-1944; Ford Motor Company in St. Paul where he doubled as an underground agent for the Office of Strategic Services, a forerunner of the CIA. Norman was a Golden Glove Boxer; he played city league football and fast pitch softball. Norman was a 32-degree Mason, member of Triune Masonic Blue Lodge #3, St. Paul, MN, Scottish Rite, York Rite, Knights Templar, Osman Temple Shrine, Lifetime Osman Temple Clown, Damasus Commandary, Royal Arch Masons, 40et8 Voiture 39, and National Box Car Association. Horton was recently honored as the longest-serving American Legion Commander in the world, Abe Lincoln American Legion Post #634, St. Paul. He was past president of the Association of Commercial Clubs of St. Paul and president of several MN business corporations. He graduated fourth in his class from Mechanic Arts High School in 1933. There were 460 in his class. Norman also attended Hamline University, Dunwoody Institute and received a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1992 from the University of Miami, FL. He hunted and fished in Minnesota, Wyoming, South Dakota and Canada. He also enjoyed ballroom dancing. Funeral service Saturday, April 11th at 11 AM at HOLCOMB-HENRY-BOOM-PURCELL FUNERAL HOME; 515 W. Hwy 96 at Mackubin, Shoreview. Interment Roselawn Cemetery. Visitation Friday, April 10th from 4-8 PM at the funeral home (Masonic Service at 7 PM.) In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Joseph's Indian School, 800-341-2235 and Shriners Hospitals for Children, 612-596-6100.

Published on April 5, 2015