My Dad was born on a farm in south Alabama in 1888. In his early years he was
a simple but industrious farm boy. During his early youth he purchased 100 acres
of land from his father and planted approximately 30 acres of pecan trees. This
pecan orchard still exists and still produces pecans.
Dad was a teacher. He began teaching in his teens. In 2005 I found a
postcard, dated September 9, 1907, sent to Prof. H.B. Norton, % Prof Tate,
Newton, Ala. Dad was not yet 19 years old. In those days you did not need a
college education to teach. This is consistent with stories Dad told of his
early days of teaching. Another postcard indicates that he was teaching in
Selma, AL in 1910. Details of Dads life during the next 10 years are not clear.
I know that during this period he graduated from the University of Alabama,
obtained a Masters Degree in Education from Columbia University, served in the
US Army as a Captain and began teaching in Tuscumbia, AL.
In the early 1920’s he met my mother, a local teacher. They were married in
1922 and moved to Birmingham where Dad began a 37-year career as principal of
Robinson Elementary School. Yes, this is the elementary school I attended,
grades 1 through 8.
Dad was very active in our church, always in the background, never seeking
recognition.
He was a lifetime member of the American Legion. He spent many years working
with the YMCA and eventually was able to establish a major neighborhood facility
in the East Lake section of Birmingham.
As I reflect back on my life and try to identify those that have had an
influence in my life, those that I might have looked up to as a hero, I will
have to place my Dad at the top of that list. On that list he stood head and
shoulders above all of the others. I never had a cross word with either of my
parents. We four children were extremely fortunate to have our loving parents. I
know that some of you did not grow up in the loving environment that we had. My
hope and prayer is that your children have grown up in a loving environment.
Dad loved children. He was firm but fair. He could love and punish. I have
firsthand knowledge of both. The important thing is that I learned a lesson from
every punishment, not immediately, for my first reaction was to try to dry the
tears and ease the discomfort of my backside.
When Dad retired we were in Japan so we missed a "This is Your Life’ the
Parent Teachers Association held for him. There are two things that standout
from that event. The first was the presentation of a portrait of Dad to Robinson
School. This portrait hung in the school for more than 40 years. It now hangs in
my living room. The second was a short poem written by one of Dad’s teachers.
This poem sums Dad’s life and how he influenced his own children and thousands
of school children.
He didn’t tell me how to live,
He lived and let me see him do it.
My
mother was born in north Alabama, lived in the plains of Texas for several years
before returning to north Alabama. Mother was also a teacher that is until she
and Dad were married in May 1922. From then on she was a homemaker and beginning
in 1923 she became a stay-at-home mom when the first of four children were born.
Mother was always there for us. During my school years mother was always at home
when we came in from school.
Mother was a gifted writer. During my school years she wrote articles and
submitted them in contests. I remember that one time she won a complete master
bedroom suite. During the later years of her life she spent 12 years researching
the history of Birmingham. She wrote a book, "Birmingham's First Magic Century,
Were You There". This book was published in 1972, on Birmingham's 100th
anniversary. Mother lived to see her book published. She passed away the
following year.
I
had an older brother, H.B that passed away in 2001. I have a younger sister,
Carolyn, who lives in Huntsville, Alabama and a younger brother, Don, who lives
in Trussville, Alabama. In the picture I am the second from the left. The
picture was taken about 1935
After graduating from Auburn University in 1950, I re-entered the Army,
married my wife Martha and we immediately went to Germany. During our three
years there we were blessed with two boys, Michael and David
Martha
had put up with me all of these years and like my mom, she was a stay-at-home
mom. She did a wonderful job raising our two boys during the periods that I was
away. The picture was taken when Martha was 19, three years before we met. You
can see why I fell in love with her. Martha passed away in November 2006. I have
written a special tribute to Martha. You can find in the Publications section of
my web site.
Michael studied voice at James Madison University (Harrisonburg, Virginia),
where he received his undergraduate degree. He studied Musicology at Ohio State
University (Columbus, Ohio), where he received his M.A. and his Ph.D. He is an
accomplished choral director and he writes choral music. You can hear and
purchase his choral music from
http://members.sibeliusmusic.com/nortonml .He has over 20 years experience
in writing business software. He recently received a M.S. degree in Computer
Science and is currently on the faculty of James Madison University teaching
computer science and music. Michael and his wife Janis, have two children,
Mathew 24 and Hannah 21. Mathew is an Architectual student and is marrird to
Michelle, a nurce. Hannah is a senior at Virginia Commonwealth University.
David attended Virginia Tech. Blacksburg, VA . For several years he, and his
wife Bonnie, managed a group of 7/11 stores in Harrisonburg and Fredericksburg,
VA.
He then began working with computers and is currently the Senior Systems
Engineer with an Verizon on contract with Homeland Security and Bonnie is the Assistant
Principal of an Elementary school.
David
and Bonnie, have two children, Jennifer, who works in a local elementary school
as a technology resource teacher and Steven, who is a manager in a long distance
moving firm in Quanto, VA. Jennifer is married to Andy
Wolfenbarger and they have given me my first two great grandson, Ryan and Seth. Andy is
Computer Systems manager with the Stafford County Schools.
The photograph of Mike and David was taken at Fort Monmouth, NJ in 1956.