Gary Norton ’63 served schools, church at large following time at Concordia Teacher’s College

Gary Norton ’63 attended then-named Concordia Teacher’s College (CTC) for three years after transferring to the university from Los Angeles State (now called California State University, Los Angeles). Very involved on campus, he ran track, was a member of the A Cappella University Choir, started the cross country team and wrestling team, served as president of the Youth Leadership Training group, was a yell leader and was involved with student government.

Norton has a bachelor of science degree in education from university and also has a master of education degree from California State University, Los Angeles. He has also served as an associate member of the California School Leadership Academy and was on the School Leadership Development (SLED) team for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.

“[Concordia] helped me to understand instructional strategy, classroom management, learning theory, child development, all under a Christian environment,” he said. “My favorite courses were Office of the Christian Teacher, Philosophy of Education and the doctrine and Biblical survey and interpretation courses. One of the persons who helped me to develop as a disciple of Jesus Christ was Dean Hansen, but most significant was the culture that encouraged students to initiate new ventures.”

“[Concordia] helped me to understand instructional strategy, classroom management, learning theory, child development, all under a Christian environment.”

Norton’s first teaching placement was at St. John’s in Ellinwood, Kansas, as a minister of education, which was a DCE-type position.

“I was the first CTC graduate to be placed in such a position,” he explained. “From there I served at St. Paul’s in San Diego, Bethany in Hollywood, was inner-city coordinator for the Southern California District (later the Pacific Southwest District), served at Canoga Park Lutheran in Canoga Park, Grace in Corona, and Christ in La Mesa, all in California.”

Norton then served as gift planning counselor for the LCMS Foundation followed by service as the mission and ministry facilitator for the Pacific Southwest District until his retirement in 2019. Norton now volunteers as a docent at the nearby Reagan Presidential Library.

In 1965, he married to Judith (Schneider) ’62 and together they had five children: Troy, Tad, Toby, Tanya and Trisha.

“There are now eleven grandchildren added to the family,” he said. “Judy was transferred to heaven in 1999, and then I married her good friend Lizabeth. She joined Judy in 2025. I live alone with my cat Ozzie in Leisure Village in Camarillo. I am a member of St. John’s in Oxnard, where they just elected me congregational secretary.”

Concordia University, Nebraska's alumni family includes more than 23,000 throughout the country and across the globe. These servant leaders have touched the lives of thousands in their classrooms, offices, businesses, congregations and communities.