John R. Norton III

John R. Norton III (April 10, 1929 – April 17, 2016) was an American farmer and politician who served as United States Deputy Secretary of Agriculture in the Reagan Administration.[1]

John R. Norton III
4th United States Deputy Secretary of Agriculture
In office
1985–1986
PresidentRonald Reagan
Preceded byRichard Edmund Lyng
Succeeded byPeter C. Myers
Personal details
Born(1929-04-10)April 10, 1929
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
DiedApril 17, 2016(2016-04-17) (aged 87)
Modesto, California, United States
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Doris Schaefer
Alma materUniversity of Arizona

Early life and career

Norton was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. He attended Stanford University for one year and graduated in 1950 from the University of Arizona with a degree in agriculture. Norton served as a First lieutenant in the United States Air Force from 1953 to 1955.[2]

After serving in the military, Norton founded the J.R. Norton Company, which operated cattle ranches and farms in California and Arizona. During this period, Norton served on the boards of the Western Growers Association and United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association.[3]

After the 1980 United States presidential election, Norton worked on the transition team of President-elect of the United States Ronald Reagan.

In 1985, Norton was appointed by President Reagan to serve as Deputy Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture.[4][5] He was responsible for the Trust provision reforms to the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.

Norton later served on the boards of the Goldwater Institute, Hoover Institution, Smithsonian Institution, and Phoenix Art Museum.[6]

Philanthropy

The Norton family endowed the Norton Gallery at the Phoenix Art Museum and the John and Doris Norton Healing Garden at Saint Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix. Norton endowed a Chair at the University of Phoenix in the School for Fathers, Parenting and Families with the John Norton Endowed Chair for Prostate Cancer Research. He also established the Norton Scholarship Endowment Fund at Creighton University School of Medicine.[7]

In 2014, Norton's gift to the St. Joseph's Foundation established the John and Doris Norton Cardiothoracic and Transplantation Institute. The Norton family also established the Norton Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

References
  1. "Former WG Chairman and Industry Visionary, John R. Norton III, Passes Away". Western Growers. 2016-04-21. Retrieved 2019-10-28.
  2. "John R. Norton, III Passes Away – Produce Blue Book". Retrieved 2019-10-28.
  3. "John R. Norton III". Hoover Institution. Retrieved 2019-10-28.
  4. Forestry, United States Congress Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and (1985). Nomination of John R. Norton III: Hearing Before the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, United States Senate, Ninety-ninth Congress, First Session on the Nomination of John R. Norton III, of Arizona, to be Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, March 27, 1985. U.S. Government Printing Office.
  5. "30585a | Ronald Reagan Presidential Library - National Archives and Records Administration". www.reaganlibrary.gov. Retrieved 2019-10-28.
  6. Lamplot, Vern. "John R. Norton III named Agriculturist of the Year". UANews. Retrieved 2019-10-28.
  7. "John R. Norton III, father of the PACA Trust, dies at 87". The Produce News - Covering fresh produce around the globe since 1897. Retrieved 2019-10-28.


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