11/06/2025
Veteran’s Spotlight…
U.S. Army – Don Orton
Mr. Don was born on February 27, 1936 in Addison, Alabama. He graduated high school and went
to Northeast Mississippi. While there, he met the love of his life, Shirley. They later married and had two daughters.
After two years of studying at Northeast Mississippi, Mr. Don transferred to Mississippi State to study Industrial Technology and Management. Then in 1959, he was drafted into the Army and was sent to Fort Jackson in South Carolina. His military occupational specialty (MOS) was infantry. During his time serving, he received several medals for his excellence in Marksmanship. Mr. Don served at several different bases over his four-year hitch in the United States Army.
In 1964, after serving his country, he returned to work at U.S. Steel in Birmingham, AL . Then in January of 1966, Mr. Don was offered a teaching position of Mechanical Drawing at West End High School where he taught for 10 ½ years. At that time, he accepted the position of Principal at the same school. There, he served the students and faculty for the next 20 years.
After retiring, Mr. Don and his wife desired to be closer to their daughters, Jan and Sherry. So, in 2003 they moved to Jacksonville, AL.
Thank you so much for your service, Mr. Don!
