Gary Norton, 53, lost a 12-year battle with AIDS on October 9. After serving on a U. S. Navy submarine from 1964 to 1973, he worked for the Veterans’ Affairs Office for six years. A passionate advocate of vets’ rights, he was instrumental in the creation of the Veterans’ Memorial at Southwestern College (SWC).

He volunteered for many AIDS organizations and for eight years led an AIDS Walk San Diego team from SWC. In 1989 he earned a B.A. in Communication from San Diego State University, which he felt was one of his greatest accomplishments.

Donations can be made to the Gary Norton Scholarship at SWC, (Transfer Center, Room 640, 900 Otay Lakes Road, Chula Vista, CA, 91910) or to any local AIDS organization.