Frank Kenimer Norton

Frank Kenimer Norton

On January 19, 2021, Frank K. Norton after a brief illness, closed the book on his long real estate career. Frank was a great husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, mentor, partner, and friend to many.

Frank was born in 1928 in Gainesville, Georgia. That same year his parents moved from Cleveland, GA where his father opened his insurance business, the W.L. Norton Agency, located in the Jackson Building in downtown Gainesville. Frank was 8 years old and on his way to Candler Street Elementary School when the disastrous tornado of April 6, 1936 devastated the downtown square. He witnessed the subsequent rebuilding of the town and never forgot the valiant efforts of the people who worked for a better future. Frank’s father and partners purchased the Estate of General Longstreet in the late thirties and built Gainesville’s first residential subdivision. Frank took his little modified red wagon around the construction sites selling cold drinks for 3 cents to the workers.

As an adult and graduate of the University of Georgia, he joined his father in the insurance and real estate business. Although active in the insurance field, he was interested in developing housing and sought opportunities to provide better houses than were then available. Those opportunities began small but during his 50 plus years in business, Frank developed many planned residential neighborhoods, including Chestatee North, Lake Lanier’s first planned condominium neighborhood; Royal Lakes Golf and Country Club, a 500-acre residential planned community anchored by an 18-hole golf course and Cherokee Forest, a Lake Lanier residential development. Even in his late 80’s he led a group to rescue the failed Sky Valley Golf Resort to its success. His commercial developments included the redevelopment of the old Dixie Hunt Hotel into today’s Hunt Tower downtown office building, the 120 room Lanier Centre Hotel, Hall County’s first industrial park and the Medical Arts Office complex.

Over the years he held leadership positions in his industry and in his community. He is proud to have been one of the founding members of Lakeview Academy, and a past chairman of Quinlan Art Center Trustees. He was an Eagle Scout (Troop 16), an avid golfer, and a Lifelong Georgia Bulldog. He was a member of Kiwanis International; he was recognized as “Small Businessperson of the Year” by the Chamber of Commerce and Georgia Family Business of the Year by Kennesaw State and Georgia Trend Magazine. Frank was a lifelong Methodist serving in dozens of roles including the building committee for the current Gainesville First United Methodist Church campus. He was recognized as a Junior Achievement Hall of Fame Laureate and by Riverside Military with the Sandy Beaver Entrepreneurial Leadership Award.

Frank was a quiet, modest leader who never sought the spotlight and was determined to help build the community by giving others a hand and opportunity. He was a true gentleman with highest integrity, kindness, a giving heart, and a man who loved “his” North Georgia.

While he had sold his interest in the family business to his sons, he never lost interest as he was always encouraging, challenging, and helping drive the business forward. He always took time and interest with the ever-growing staff by mentoring and supporting their interests, projects and activities. He was the Family business’s biggest cheerleader.

Frank is survived by his wife Betty of 66 years and have three children: sons, Frank, Jr. (Nancy), Bob (Amanda) and daughter Elisa (Rick) Cooper. Grandchildren Teddie (Mike) Reilly, Tripp (Chelsea) Norton, Emilie (Pat) Cisco, Robert (Cathryn) Norton, Kate (Bo) Wren, Maggie (Shawn) Tomberlin, Jacob Norton, Eliza Norton, Michael (Emily) Cooper,

William Cooper and Thomas Cooper and eight great grandchildren.

There will be a private interment in the Methodist columbarium and a celebration of life to be held later. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Gainesville First United Methodist Church Foundation, North Georgia Community Foundation, Quinlan Art Center or Lakeview Academy in Frank Norton’s memory.

Memorial Park Funeral Home North Riverside Chapel, 989 Riverside Dr. is in charge of arrangements.

Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.