Changes

'''Elmer Norman Norton''', known as '''Elmo Norton''' (December 4, 1928 – December 30, 2015), was a businessman and [[United States Marine Corps|United States Marine]] from his native [[Shreveport]], [[Louisiana]], who was long active in the development of the [[Republican Party]] in his state.

'''Elmer Norman Norton''', known as '''Elmo Norton''' (December 4, 1928 – December 30, 2015), was a businessman and [[United States Marine Corps|United States Marine]] from his native [[Shreveport]], [[Louisiana]], who was long active in the development of the [[Republican Party]] in his state.

Norton was the last surviving of four children of William Thomas and Lucy Norton. After graduation from Fair Park High School in Shreveport, he served in the Marines, with fourteen months in the [[Korean War]], in which he earned two [[Purple Heart]] medals because of shrapnel in his back and legs and completed the Military Police Academy. He served in [[Japan]], [[China]], [[Guam]], and [[Europe]].<ref name=obit>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/shreveporttimes/obituary.aspx?n=elmer-norton&pid=177158339&fhid=10218|title=Elmer Norton|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=January 6, 2016|accessdate=January 8, 2016}}</ref> In 2005, he was post commander for the Shreveport American Legion, during which time a member, William John "Wild Bill" Lawson (1927-2011), was exposed for having posed as a major general with fraudulent medals in a charade that got out of hand. In actuality, Lawson had served in the USMC for nineteen months ending in 1946 and had not advanced beyond private first class.

Norton was the last surviving of four children of William Thomas and Lucy Norton. After graduation from Fair Park High School in Shreveport, he served in the Marines, with fourteen months in the [[Korean War]], in which he earned two [[Purple Heart]] medals because of shrapnel in his back and legs and completed the Military Police Academy. He served in [[Japan]], [[China]], [[Guam]], and [[Europe]].<ref name=obit>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/shreveporttimes/obituary.aspx?n=elmer-norton&pid=177158339&fhid=10218|title=Elmer Norton|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=January 6, 2016|accessdate=January 8, 2016}}</ref> In 2005, he was post commander for the Shreveport American Legion, during which time a member, William John "Wild Bill" Lawson (1927-2011), a native of [[Queens]], [[New York City]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Lawson&GSfn=William&GSmn=John&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSob=n&GRid=70695778&df=all&|title=William John Lawson|publisher=Findagrave.com|accessdate=January 8, 2016}}</ref> was exposed for having posed as a major general wearing unearned medals in a charade that got out of hand. In actuality, Lawson had served in the USMC for nineteen months ending in 1946 and had not advanced beyond private first class.<ref>{{cite web|url=|title='General"|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=2005|accessdate=January 8, 2016}]</ref>

After the Marines, he returned to his former post as a deputy for Caddo Parish Sheriff J. Howell Flournoy. His career thereafter was in automobile sales and management. In 1963, he was named "Citizen of the Year" by [[Ford Motor Company]] for his civic and religious dedication. He retired in 1990 as fleet manager for the Chevyland [[Chevrolet]] dealership in Shreveport. He was active in the Lions International, and the [[Episcopal Church]]. His Republican affiliations included associate membership in the Professional Republican Women's Club of Caddo Parish.<ref name=obit/> He was active in the successful 2014 campaign to elect Republican [[Bill Cassidy]] to the [[United States Senate]] from Louisiana.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shreveporttimes.com/picture-gallery/news/local/2014/10/13/john-mccain-stumps-for-bill-cassidy/17227823/|title=John McCain Stumps for Bill Cassidy|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=October 14, 2014|accessdate=January 8, 2016}}</ref>

After the Marines, he returned to his former post as a deputy for Caddo Parish Sheriff J. Howell Flournoy. His career thereafter was in automobile sales and management. In 1963, he was named "Citizen of the Year" by [[Ford Motor Company]] for his civic and religious dedication. He retired in 1990 as fleet manager for the Chevyland [[Chevrolet]] dealership in Shreveport. He was active in the Lions International, and the [[Episcopal Church]]. His Republican affiliations included associate membership in the Professional Republican Women's Club of Caddo Parish.<ref name=obit/> He was active in the successful 2014 campaign to elect Republican [[Bill Cassidy]] to the [[United States Senate]] from Louisiana.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shreveporttimes.com/picture-gallery/news/local/2014/10/13/john-mccain-stumps-for-bill-cassidy/17227823/|title=John McCain Stumps for Bill Cassidy|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=October 14, 2014|accessdate=January 8, 2016}}</ref>