Patrick H. Norton (1922-2008), was the longtime Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing and then became Chairman of the Board for La-Z-Boy Chair Company.  Pat was always a man of action...and results.  Following his graduation from Washington University in St. Louis, he began a career in furniture retailing which was interrupted by five years in the U. S. Air Force.  Pat returned to furniture retailing and later became vice president of sales and a member of the board of Baumritter/Ethan Allen.  In 1981, he became senior vice president and a member of the La-Z-Boy Board of Directors.

During his tenure, the company grew by a factor of ten.  Mr. Norton built "La-Z-Boy" into the most recognized name brand within the furniture industry. Pat served on the board of the American Furniture Manufacturers Association and on the liaison committee with the National Home Furnishings Association.  As the first Home Furnishings Council chairman, he worked tirelessly to unite retailers, manufacturers and suppliers behind the effort.  Mr. Norton served as vice chairman of the American Legion Department of Missouri and was a member of the National Jr. American Legion Baseball Commission, for ten years as state chairman producing three state champions and sending two teams to the national finals.

In Memoriam: Dr. Patrick H. Norton April 19, 1922 – Dec. 4, 2008

Dr. Patrick H. Norton, a dedicated friend to High Point University and former chairman of the Board of La-Z-Boy, Inc., passed away on Dec. 4, 2008.  He is survived by children Kevin P. Norton and Susan Norton Brosnan. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, LaVerne Blocker Norton, and one child, Krell B. Norton.  Norton will be missed by the High Point University family.  He was a frequent lecturer in the home furnishings program and an avid supporter of this institution.  Norton Hall is named for him and students are grateful for The Patrick H. Norton Scholarship Fund.  He was awarded an honorary doctorate by HPU.  Norton, born in St. Charles, Mo., on April 19, 1922, was an alumnus of Washington University in St. Louis, Mo. He served in the U.S. Armed Services in the Pacific Theater during World War II.  He was involved in 33 combat missions and received the Distinguished Service Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross with Cluster and the Air Medal with Two Clusters.

In 1945, Norton began his career in the retail furniture business in St. Louis, joining the Baumritter Corporation in 1962.  He played a major role in establishing Ethan Allen as a premier furniture retailer.  In 1981, he joined La-Z-Boy as senior vice president of sales and marketing.  He was elected to the Board of La-Z-Boy, Inc., that same year.  He established the format and growth of La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries stores into textbook methodology of highly successful retail furniture stores. In 1997, he was elected chairman of the Board of La-Z-Boy, Inc.  He was named chairman emeritus in 2006.  Norton received many awards and recognitions, including the National Brotherhood Award of The National Conference of Christians and Jews, the City of Hope Spirit of Life Award and inclusion in the American Furniture Manufacturers Association Hall of Fame.  He also founded and chaired The Home Furnishings Council.