September 20, 1932 June 23, 2021
September 20, 1932 -- June 23, 2021

Norton Scrimshire

Rev. James Norton Scrimshire passed away peacefully on June 23, 2021, in Dallas, TX. Norton was born in Dallas, TX on September 20, 1932. He grew up in New Mexico in the family of a Methodist minister. He received his B.A. degree in 1955 and Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree in 1958 from Southern Methodist University. Norton married Wiebke Ann Umbach on September 1, 1959. They were blessed with four children, Diane, Deborah, David, and Daniel. During Norton and Wiebke's Ministry, they served churches in Eric, Tecumseh, and Laverne Oklahoma. In Texas, they served in Iraan, Alpine, Marathon, Crane, and Imperial. In New Mexico, their churches included Kingswood-Clovis, Jal, Santa Rosa, Encino, Trinity-Albuquerque, Gallup, Peralta, Clayton, Amistad, and Belen. Upon retirement, Norton and Wiebke spent 10 years serving as chaplains for La Vida Llena retirement community in Albuquerque. They worshipped at Central United Methodist Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico. After Wiebke's death in 2003, Norton rekindled a relationship with Carolyn Tunnell that blossomed into a beautiful wedding and marriage on September 2, 2006. Norton and Carolyn loved spending time with family and traveling. They made their home in San Antonio, Texas, and worshipped at Trinity United Methodist Church. Norton had been involved in Freemasonry since 1968 through Eunice Lodge 67. He was also affiliated with the York Rite, Knights Templar, and Eastern Star. Norton was preceded in death by his parents Joe Berry and Johnnie B Scrimshire, his first wife Wiebke Scrimshire, and his second wife Carolyn Tunnell Scrimshire. He is survived by his four children; Diane Reed and husband Steve, Richardson, TX; Deborah Scrimshire, Rio Rancho, NM; David Scrimshire and wife Priscilla, Dallas, TX; and Daniel Scrimshire and wife Margie, Montgomery, TX; three sisters; Mary Bowman, Albuquerque, NM; Patsy and Bob Humble, Albuquerque, NM; and Nancy Thompson, El Paso, TX; Grandson Paul Scrimshire, Dallas, TX; five nieces, three nephews, and many grandnieces and grandnephews. A memorial service to celebrate Norton's life will be held on Saturday, September 25, 2021, at 2:00 pm at Central United Methodist Church, 201 University Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106. Memorial gifts may be made to the New Mexico Methodist Foundation (NMCONFUM.com), Central United Methodist Church in Albuquerque, NM, or the charity of your choice.