Melvin Norton Obituary
Melvin Earl Norton, 95, of Portales, New Mexico, passed away on September 4, 2026, joining his wife, Joyce. Melvin and Joyce were known as beautiful dancers, and now they are together, waltzing with angels.
Melvin was born in Portales on March 11, 1931, to Clayton and Lillian Norton. He attended Portales High School and played on the winning basketball team that took the State Championship in 1948. He married his high school sweetheart, Juanita Joyce Turner, on October 28, 1949.
Melvin worked as a lineman and at other jobs until, in 1955, he and Joyce loaded up their growing family and moved to Redding, California. Melvin worked for decades as a truck driver and earned a reputation for being exceptionally responsible and hard-working. Melvin and Joyce raised their three children in Redding. Then, in 2006, they returned to Portales.
Melvin was a tall, kind, soft-spoken man with a strong work ethic, a gentle sense of humor, and a twinkle in his eye. He and Joyce always loved square dancing. They made a handsome couple, especially when waltzing around the dance floor.
Melvin was dearly loved and will be deeply missed. He is survived by his children, Dianne Jurgensen, Carla Norton, and Mark Norton, as well as his brother, Bill Norton, his sisters, Lois Marie Trent, Carlene Bradsby, and Jeanie West, and his sister-in-law, Fern Rhodes.
