Remembering Howard and Jane Norton

Dear WBS Family,

In October, both Howard Norton and his wife, Jane, passed away from this life to receive their heavenly reward.

Howard Norton was born in 1935 and grew up in Fort Worth, Texas. He began preaching in his teens. He graduated from Abilene Christian University with a bachelor’s degree, the University of Houston with a master’s degree, and the University of Sao Paulo with his doctorate in human sciences.

Howard and Jane assembled the original mission team of 13 families to Sao Paulo, Brazil in 1961. After returning to North America in 1977, their Brazilian ties continued. He was the pulpit preacher at Memorial Road church of Christ in Oklahoma City and served with Oklahoma Christian University as a Bible and Missions professor, dean of the Bible College, and editor of The Christian Chronicle from 1981 to 1996. In 1997, he taught Bible and Missions at Harding University. He also directed the Harding Lectureship and the Institute of Church and Family.

In 2009, he took a leave of absence to serve three and a half years as president of Baxter Institute in Honduras. After “retiring”, he continued preaching, writing and shepherding at the College church of Christ in Searcy, Arkansas. He and Jane continued vigorous mission travels well into their 80s. Amid these labors, he placed a priority on World Bible School, first as a Board member, then as Board chairman from 2016 to 2022. Through Howard’s leadership, WBS Portuguese is now offered. Howard’s wisdom and experience guided WBS into strong growth and healthy transitions.

We thank God for Howard and Jane’s service to the Kingdom of God and to World Bible School as we celebrate their victory in Christ. We also continue to remember the rest of the Norton family and their friends at this time.

Brian Rex Davis

President, World Bible School