Obituary of Charles Norfleet

Services for Charles E. Norfleet, 68, of Cotton, Center, TX, were held at 2:00 pm Saturday, November 6, 2004, in the First Baptist Church in Cotton Center with Rev. J. D. Templeton officiating. Burial followed in the Hale Center Cemetery under the direction of Freeman-Abell Funeral Home of Hale Center, TX. He died at his home in Cotton Center Wednesday, November 3, 2004. Mr. Norfleet was born February 23, 1935 to Frank Ellwood and Florence Ella (Benson) Norfleet, at the Norfleet farmhouse near Hale Center. He was the Grandson of Pioneers: J. Frank and Mattie Eliza (Hudgins) Norfleet. He graduated from Hale Center High School and attended Texas Tech where he studied mechanical engineering; a life-long learner in the truest sense. He married Shelby Claycomb , May 25, 1960 in Plainview, TX. Mr. Norfleet was an avid reader and had many interests and hobbies including art, mechanics, computers, electronics, flying, chemistry and science. He also was a Ham Radio operator. He served on the Cotton Center School Board for over 25 years, and was a member of the Hale Center and Amarillo Gun Clubs, and earned the honor of Master Marksman. He was a Baptist and was a member of the Lemond Masonic Lodge, Lubbock Scottish Rite and Khiva Shrine. He and Carlton Holland of Plainview, TX, formed H & N Electronics. He wrote one of the first computerized gin programs. His Uncle John Benson and he designed and held a patent on a tractor front end. He was preceded in death by a son, John Charles "Johnny" Norfleet, April 26, 1998. Survivors include his wife, Shelby Norfleet of Cotton Center, TX, 2 daughters, Catherine Simmons and her husband, Terry of Hobbs, NM, Beverly Sutterfield and her husband, Byron, of Bushland, TX. He is also survived by a sister and brother-in-law, Susie McBeth and Ralph Kathan of St. Charles, IL, two grandchildren, Kyle and Kevin Simmons of Hobbs, NM, and long time friends, Doug and Dorotha Sopher. The family suggests memorials be sent to the Hale County Farm and Ranch Museum or to the First Baptist Church Library, Cotton Center, TX. Abell Funeral Home