Birth date: Aug 22, 1941 Death date: Jun 23, 2015
James “Wayne” Norton, age 73 of Gainesville, passed away Tuesday, June 23, 2015. Wayne was born August 22, 1941 in Dade City, Florida. He attended the University of Florida and Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, TN. He Read Obituary
Wow, so shocked & saddened to just hear this! Wayne would walk our dog Nyla with his dog Coco. He would say: “Nyla, Uncle Wayne is here”. Nyla just loved him!!! Coco was so good about it all. He had a house key if we were not there. We assumed he was healing from his previous injury or maybe we kept missing him. Now I understand my dog’s behavior this summer. We called Wayne not only for trees but also for injured turtles. He was great with animals & wildlife. He will truly be missed. The Haile walking trail will not be the same without him. My deepest sympathy & prayers to family & friends.
Wayne, we've shared some great times, and, even better, we've shared some great friends. I look forward to sharing them again "when we all get to Heaven. What a day of rejoicing that will be." Till then, darn, this girl's gonna miss you. I'll never look at a radio tower without thinking of you......or George Fogle.
We were so shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden death of Wayne Norton.
He first became our "tree man" some 20 years ago, when we picked his number at random in the phone book and heard his phone message: "Alachua County Tree Service. We rescue stranded kitties". We had never heard such a wonderful message and knew right away he must be a very good person.
He was throughout so trustworthy and kind. We had a very tall water oak right in front of our house which Wayne said did not need to come down yet -- (he was always trying to save us money) -- "unless a hurricane is heading straight for Gainesville. This tree is not safe for your home then, ---and I will come and remove it before the storm hits", he said in his earnest, serious way.
September 2004: Hurricane Frances is bearing down on Gainesville. We were busy battening down the hatches mid-afternoon, when to our surprise, he showed up at our front door, looking exhausted but determined.
"I'm here to take your tree down, he said. "I've been busy all day with my other customers who were at risk from their trees, and your tree's the last". "But --- you sure it's safe? It's swaying already, the wind's starting to pick up!" "I'm taking it down for you," he repeated stubbornly. "That tree is putting your home at risk now."
"But I have to ask a favor of you" He pointed to a cardboard box on the back seat of his truck.
"There's an injured tortoise in there. It was hit by a car and they just left it by the road. If I take your tree down, there's no time to take it to the Vet School clinic: I need you to do it. They may already have closed down because of the storm, but you need to get it seen to anyway!"
At the Vet School clinic, there seemed no one there, the band clouds were starting to bring sputtering rain. At the front desk, a lone assistant said: "We can't help you, the staff have left due to the storm." Fired by Wayne's insistence: "Please, isn't there anybody left here who can see him?" "Well, yes, --but we don't take injured wildlife, only personal pets." (yikes!) --"No, no ----- this is ....Oscar! He got hit, he's suffering, please help him!"
"Oh, OK... We'll take Oscar back. But he looks pretty injured, we can't guarantee we can save him."
..On the drive home, the clinic called. "We're so sorry, we couldn't save Oscar. His injuries were too severe, but we put him out of his suffering. We know you'll be upset but it was the best we could do."
Back at our home, Wayne was just finishing the last of the tree, looking totally weary. "How is he?" were his first words.
That was Wayne Norton, one of the kindest and truest people we have known.
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One second story, we don't know whether his family ever knew what happened on our property --- 15 years ago??
Wayne was taking down some very tall pines along the road, trees killed by the borer beetle infestation.
The doorbell rang, after about an hour. Wayne was standing there, gasping for breath, and his young man helper was standing behind him, eyes popping with shock.
"What happened, Wayne??"
"I just fell fifty feet out of that tree, he managed. "The branch broke under me.
I landed on some cushioned leaves, ....can't believe I'm still here.
"You have to understand: NOBODY survives a 50-foot fall out of a tree.
"I couldn't take in a breath, so i pointed to my helper here to push down on my diaphragm.
He got my breathing going.
"I'm fine, but apologize,--- I need to go home and rest awhile now."
Wayne mentioned that 50-foot fall in later years
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A friend heard this story, on hearing the shocking news of Wayne's sudden death, said,
"Maybe, when a person does so many good deeds, he is given the gift of extra time".
Our heartfelt condolences to Wayne Norton's loved ones. We are making a donation to the Humane Society in his memory.
Gael Morgan
Wayne was a friend to me when I most needed one. My Dad had just died and my Mom was in the hospital, and Wayne volunteered to take care of me for a few weeks until I could find a Group Home to live in. Wayne took me to a Gator football game. He let me drive his bulldozer and I knocked some trees down! He let me use his welder, and he took me to Sears, my favorite store. I remember his dog, Bear. He lived near my parents and he did lots of things for them before this also like cutting down trees for them. I think of Wayne often and appreciate him very much! I am developmentally challenged and a friend of mine is sending this for me. Sincere condolences, Emmitt Horn
Wayne hardly missed a performance, and he was always so supportive . This man was a gentle soul and an amazing humanitarian, he brought joy into many peoples' lives including mine! God speed my friend I will miss you, and to his family, my deepest sympathy on your terrible loss. Michele Incollingo, Newberry Florida
Wayne was a huge influence on me as a young man. We enjoyed working together,but he always encouraged me to return to school. A real man of integrity and insight.
Fred Floyd MD
New Orleans LA
My wife, Janie Adair, and I first got to know Wayne back in 2000 when we had to have a huge pine right next to the house removed. All the other tree men had said they would take it out but would tear up the back yard doing so and wouldn't be held responsible for any damage. Wayne was smart enough to crane the downed tree while parked on our driveway, reaching over the house to remove it. He didn't even leave a trace. What a smart man. We got to be friends after that. He retired briefly but then got back to work, and we had him over repeatedly. He loved Gainesville and its people, trees, animals, and nature in general and could tell a story as well as anyone I know. Plus, he was the most honest businessperson around, still climbing trees at 73. He lived a full life, and we are all the better for his presence on this earth. We will miss you, Wayne. Good job!
