Benjamin Franklin Norton Jr. was born on February 11, 1949 in Renti Grove, Oklahoma to the union of Benjamin Franklin Sr. and Bennie Mae Norton. He was the third of five children. He is preceded in death by his parents; wife Shirley Jean Norton; sister Emma Norton and brother Jene Norton.
“Ben,” as he was often referred to, received his formal education in the Tulsa School District. He was a proud graduate of Booker T. Washington High School class of 1967. After high school, Ben served his country in the United States Army as a Medic.
He was honorably discharged in July 1974. Ben attended and graduated from Langston University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Sociology. Several years after he graduated from college, he decided to follow in his brother’s footsteps and moved to Kansas City, Missouri.
Ben met the love of his life Shirley Jean Hart shortly after he arrived in Kansas City. On December 26, 1978, he was united in marriage to Shirley. To this union three children were born; Heath Alexander, Colette Michelle, and Simone Racquel.
Ben accepted Christ at an early age and was an active member of Metropolitan Baptist Church until his health started to fail. Over the years he served as a Deacon, Assistant Superintendent of Sunday school, kitchen committee and anywhere else his assistance was requested. Ben spent 25 years working for the City of Kansas City Missouri as a Contract Compliance Supervisor.
After he retired, he worked as a financial representative with Primerica. Ben loved to meet new people and could often be found striking up conversations with complete strangers. Ben was very civically engaged.
Over the years he served as the INROADS parent support group president, volunteered at the local recycling plant and worked with Gideon International to get Bible’s to those that did not have. Ben loved music (Jazz and Jimi Hendrix were his favorites) being around his grandchildren and cultivating his notorious sweet-tooth! Ben is survived by his son Heath Norton (Melantha) St. Louis, MO; daughters Colette Belcher (Jordan) Raymore, MO; and Simone Rawlings (Terrail) Parkville, MO.
Foster Daughter Christina Molina (Juan). Eleven grandchildren: Adaina Saxton-Ross, Kylie Belcher, Jordan II (Twice) Belcher, Abigail Rawlings, Joshua Rawlings, Solomon Rawlings, Gideon Rawlings, Zola Jean Norton and Marynn Grace Norton, Adriana Molina and Andres Molina. Sisters: Ella Ingram (Charles) Tulsa, Oklahoma and Priscilla Elaine Brown Tulsa Oklahoma.
Three sisters-in-law’s; Iceola Hart of Kansas City, Ks, Geraldine Hairston of Fairfax, VA and Deborah Gray of Lawrenceville, GA. Nieces; Kim Brice (Clarence), Alexis Phomby, Ebony Wright (Marcus), Shannon Hart, Meghan Hairston, Brandi Hart. Nephews: Charles Ingram Jr., Kevin Ingram (Lisa), Derrick Hart (Debbie), Michael Nelson, Aubrey Hairston (Andrea), Jason Simmons, Richard Gray (Darcie) and a host of great nieces, nephews, and friends.
Funeral Service will be held at 11:00A.M. on Saturday, November 3, 2018 at Metropolitan Baptist Temple 853 Washington Blvd. KCK 66101. Visitation 10:00 A.M. Private Disposition.
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