George Edward Norton, of Ridge, MD passed away on Monday, December 17, 2007 at the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home. Mr. Norton was 90 years old. He was born to Clarence Mortimer and Laura Nesius Norton on September 26, 1917, in Washington, DC.

Mr. Norton was a U.S. Navy veteran, and served during World War II as a carpenter's mate. He worked as a television repairman and carpenter in Washington, DC, after the war; he and his wife moved their family to Ridge in the early 1950's. Mr. Norton then began his civil service career as an electronics technician at the Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, MD, and retired in 1977.

Mr. Norton was a past member of the St. Michael's Church Choir, past president of the St. Vincent DePaul Society, and served on the Board of Directors of the St. Jerome Creek Citizens Association. He also served as an usher at St. Michael's Church in Ridge.

His hobbies and interests included organic gardening, coin and stamp collecting, American history, chess, checkers, dancing, classical music, old movies, and studying the stock market.

Mr. Norton is survived by his wife Audrey Raley Norton, whom he married on October 14, 1943, in Washington, DC, and by his children Diane Varner, and her husband Donald, of Severna Park; Larry Norton and his wife Elizabeth, of LaPlata; Karen Jensen and her husband Peter, of Ridge; and Kevin Norton, and his companion Karen Headley, of Mechanicsville. He is also survived by his grandchildren Douglas Varner, and his wife Christina; David Varner; and Brandi Norton.

Mr. Norton was predeceased by his parents and his brothers Howard Norton and Henry Norton.

Family will receive friends at St. Michael's Catholic Church, Ridge, MD on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 from 5 to 8 p.m., with prayers recited at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Msgr. Maurice O'Connell on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2007 at 12 noon at the church, with burial following in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Bruce Dalton, Peter Jensen, Henry Norton, Bruce Raley, David Varner, and Douglas Varner.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Ridge Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 456, Ridge, MD 20680; Hospice of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650; or Monsignor Peacock Memorial Fund at St. Michael's School, P.O. Box 259, Ridge, MD 20680.

Funeral arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD