John R. Norton III, who served as Western Growers’ Chairman in 1980 and was an Association Award of Honor recipient in 1985, has died. He was 87. Norton passed away on Sunday April 17, 2016, in Arizona, surrounded by family. His contributions as an industry pioneer and visionary are impossible to overlook and profoundly contributed to the success of Western Growers, helping to make it the forward-thinking organization it is today.

Operating out of California and Arizona, his company, J.R. Norton Company, was one of the most prominent shippers of iceberg lettuce and fresh produce in the country. Universally admired and a decades-long Western Growers’ member, Norton was one of the greats in agriculture serving the Association and the industry with distinction. His leadership with helping to create the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) Trust in 1984 serves as an enduring reminder of his iconic status in the produce industry. Western Growers is forever indebted to him for his tireless service and industry contributions. On behalf of the organization and its members, Western Growers extends our deepest sympathy to his family, friends and colleagues, all of whom were deeply touched by his greatness.   

Read FULL OBITUARY

For more information, contact Matt McInerney at (949) 885-2263.