Memorials › Byron Norrell

Byron Norrell

30 Sep 1875 – 15 Jul 1938

Birth30 Sep 1875
Death15 Jul 1938
CemeteryRosedale Cemetery
Ada , Pontotoc County , Oklahoma , USA
Added byAnOkie on 21 Feb 2013
FaGhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/104054691

Bio

"Illness Fatal to Byron Norrell, Associate Editor of Ada News, Funeral Services held at home at 7 o'clock Friday Evening, died early Friday, Valued citizen, loved friend, influential editor, writer for years. Byron Norrell, 62, associate editor of The Ada News, resident of Ada since 1906, outstanding member of the profession of journalism in Oklahoma for many years, died at 1:15 o'clock Friday morning at his home here. Funeral services were held Friday evening at 7 o'clock at the home. Rev. Mitchell S. Epperson, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, of which Mr. Norrell was for many years a valued member, officiating. L.A. Ellison, long time friend, paid a tribute of Mr. Norrell's character, influence, work, and dependability. Mr. Norrell is survived by Mrs. Norrell; a sister, Mrs. Lura Skinner of Ada; two brothers, M.J. Norrell of Dallas, and Homer Norrell of San Antonio; and two half-brothers, Paul Norrell, formerly of Ada and now of Stillwater, and C.D. Norrell of Dallas. Helped Build State - His passing removes from the scene one of the men who came into this territory before statehood, struggled gallantly through the difficult early years, building mightily in the task of forming a state and then contributing years of service to that state after if become firmly established. Born in Texas, Mr. Norrell was a son of a Presbyterian preacher who was engaged in Sunday School organization work. He entered the teaching profession, became a graduate of Peabody College for Teachers, Nashville, eventually taught at Italy, Texas. It was at Italy that he became interested in the newspaper business. The result was that in 1906 he and the late Miles C. Grigsby came to Ada, then in the Indian Territory, and entered the newspaper field, with Mr. Norrell as editor of The Ada Democrat. With News in 1910 - In 1910 he bought an interest in The Ada News and except for two years has been associated with that paper since. During those two years, he was for one year business manager of Kendall College (now Tulsa University), in 1920-21. He was a former president of the Oklahoma Press Association. A man of sound judgement and firm conviction, he weilded an unmeasured influence through the editorial columns which he conducted for years. Few writers in the state have been quoted as often by other newspapers over Oklahoma. He attached to himself the solid loyalty of his friends, delighting in his friendships, maintaining alert interest in all that was going on in the world's affairs. Hard Worker - A hard worker, he took little time from his day to day duties for any kind of hobbies. Of recent years, however, he has given much time to the development of the pecan industry in southeastern Oklahoma. One of the finest pecan orchards in this part of the state on his farm near Byrds Mill has come into bearing, and he spent days on the farm last fall, gathering and marketing his crop. He was a leader in church, lodge, and commercial life. He boosted and aided persnally in many of the enterprises which have helped to build Ada. He was intensely loyal to his profession and his friends. While he was president of the Oklahoma Press Association, many improvements were brought about in the profession, and he spent much of his time on that work of love. He was a valued alumnus of Peabody College, and was call back as least twice the last fifteen years to address boosters for the institution. He could not give too much time to his friends when they needed his assitance." -The Ada Weekly News, Thursday, July 21, 1938

Photos

Family

Parents

Spouse

Siblings

Export GEDCOM

This person only · Entire connected family