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

Norton was the last surviving of six children of the late William Thomas Norton and the former Lucy Kyle. After graduation from Fair Park High School in Shreveport, he served in the [[United States Marine Corps]], stationed fourteen months in the [[Korean War]], during which he earned two [[Purple Heart]] medals<ref name=obit/> because of shrapnel thrust into his back and legs.<ref name=zoom/> He completed the Military Police Academy. His service stations were [[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), originally from [[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 and did not leave the country, having been injured in an accident in 1946 at Camp Pendleton in southern [[California]]. Lawson was pinned against a wall by a piece of heavy equipment; his legs, ankles, and knees were severly injured. Lawson had previously lived in [[Florida]] but had subsequently become a fixture for years at veterans events in Shreveport, of which his wife was a native and a Fair Park High School classmate of Norton's. Lawson was recognized by his black patch over his left eye and riding a motorized limited-mobility scooter. He had criticized Forest Park Cemetery in Shreveport, where he was subsequently interred, of having mishandled the placement of U.S. flags on veterans' graves. Alerted to the fraud by a cousin of Lawson, Norton said that he could not believe the story: "It just tears me up. It's heartbreaking. He's such a nice guy, I hate to see this happen."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050808/NEWS01/508080312/1060/NEWS01|title='General' who led cemetery charge bogus|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=August 7, 2005|accessdate=January 8, 2016}}</ref>

Norton was the last surviving of six children of the late William Thomas Norton and the former Lucy Kyle. After graduation in 1946 from Fair Park High School in Shreveport,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.e-yearbook.com/yearbooks/Fair_Park_High_School_Sequoyah_Yearbook/1946/Page_46.html|title=Fair Park High School Sequoyah yearbook|date=1946|page=46|accessdate=January 8, 2016}}</ref> he served in the [[United States Marine Corps]], stationed fourteen months in the [[Korean War]], during which he earned two [[Purple Heart]] medals<ref name=obit/> because of shrapnel thrust into his back and legs.<ref name=zoom/> He completed the Military Police Academy. His service stations were [[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), originally from [[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 and did not leave the country, having been injured in an accident in 1946 at Camp Pendleton in southern [[California]]. Lawson was pinned against a wall by a piece of heavy equipment; his legs, ankles, and knees were severly injured. Lawson had previously lived in [[Florida]] but had subsequently become a fixture for years at veterans events in Shreveport, of which his wife was a native and a Fair Park High School classmate of Norton's. Lawson was recognized by his black patch over his left eye and riding a motorized limited-mobility scooter. He had criticized Forest Park Cemetery in Shreveport, where he was subsequently interred, of having mishandled the placement of U.S. flags on veterans' graves. Alerted to the fraud by a cousin of Lawson, Norton said that he could not believe the story: "It just tears me up. It's heartbreaking. He's such a nice guy, I hate to see this happen."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050808/NEWS01/508080312/1060/NEWS01|title='General' who led cemetery charge bogus|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=August 7, 2005|accessdate=January 8, 2016}}</ref>

After service in the Marines, Norton returned to his former post as a deputy<ref name=zoom>{{cite web|url=http://www.zoominfo.com/p/Elmo-Norton/758750902|title=Elmo Norton: Sheriff's deputy|publisher=zoominfo.com|accessdate=January 8, 2016}}</ref> 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. Besides the American Legion, Norton 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/> Norton lost to Michael D. Long his District 8 seat on the Republican State Central Committee in the primary election held on March 9, 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/03092004/03092004_09.html|title=Results for Election Date: 3/9/2004|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=January 9, 2016}}</ref> A decade later, Norton was still active in the party 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 service in the Marines, Norton returned to his former post as a deputy<ref name=zoom>{{cite web|url=http://www.zoominfo.com/p/Elmo-Norton/758750902|title=Elmo Norton: Sheriff's deputy|publisher=zoominfo.com|accessdate=January 8, 2016}}</ref> 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. Besides the American Legion, Norton 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/> Norton lost to Michael D. Long his District 8 seat on the Republican State Central Committee in the primary election held on March 9, 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/03092004/03092004_09.html|title=Results for Election Date: 3/9/2004|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=January 9, 2016}}</ref> A decade later, Norton was still active in the party 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>