Milton R LaPointe's Obituary
Reflections Of a Husband, Father, and Grandfather Milton Ray LaPointe, the adopted son of Alphonse Joseph LaPointe and Helen Mae LaPointe was born on October 24, 1937, in Port Arthur, Texas. Milton was the only child of the LaPointe’s. It was not until later on in his adult life that his birth mother, Lillian Norrington, would successfully complete her search for her biological son. From an early age, Milton was reared in the Methodist faith; he was a regular Sunday Church attender and was active in the Methodist Church as a Junior Usher and Usher. Milton later became a Seventh Day Adventist and was a member of the Berean, Altadena, and Maranatha Seventh Day Adventist churches.
Milton graduated from Lincoln High School in Port Arthur, Texas. An above average high school student, he earned a scholarship for his post-secondary education. He continued his academic pursuits after high school, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and Master’s in Psychology: Business from California State University, Los Angeles; an MBA from Pepperdine University; and a Ph.D. from California Coast University. Milton faced many challenges in attaining his college education. At the Bachelors level, he had to drop out of school to obtain full-time employment. He was fortunate to obtain a full-time night job at Los Angeles County General Hospital as a kitchen helper. For a year and one half, Milton carried a full load of eighteen semester units while working full time to complete his Bachelor’s degree. All of his degrees were earned while being employed full-time. The first school from which he earned his Ph.D. went out of business, rendering the degree worthless. Determined, he earned another Ph.D. from California Coast University. Milton was initially employed by Los Angeles County. He worked there for six years. He then became employed by Southern California Edison where he was employed for 25 years until his retirement in 1991. He held a variety of professional, supervisory, and managerial positions during his employment at both venues. Milton met Elma Barker in 1966, shortly after she arrived in California. Elma was not a Seventh-Day Adventist when she and Milton met. As Milton and Elma learned more about each other, Milton and Elma realized they had a lot of religious practices in common. Elma and Milton were married on July 8, 1967 in Santa Monica, California. Later, they relocated to South Pasadena, California and joined the Altadena Seventh Day Adventist Church. This union was blessed with three children, Lori Keisha LaPointe, Alycia Makea LaPointe Huston, and Milton Wesley. Milton and Elma were married for thirty-nine wonderful years before Elma predeceased him on March 13, 2006. Milton was active in the Altadena Church in various offices and in various committees for twenty years. . He belonged to several professional organizations, including Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. In December 2005, Milton and Elma moved to San Diego, after having resided in South Pasadena for three decades. In February, 2006, Elma and Milton moved into a new home in Lakeside, California, in San Diego County. Unfortunately, Elma, died a short time later on March 13, 2006, with Lori, Alycia, and Milton at her bedside.
Milton went to sleep on September 18, 2023. He is predeceased by his parents and his wife, Elma; brothers Clifton Anders and William Norrington (MD); Milton leaves to cherish his memories two daughters, Lori K. LaPointe and Alycia (Andre) Huston of San Diego; one son, Milton Wesley LaPointe of San Bernardino; former spouse, Elizabeth Norris of Encino; sisters Billie M. Thomas (TX), Tronia Marie Stone (IN), Audrey Riley (TX); brothers Kenneth Norrington (TX), Edward Norrington (RI); Derrick Norrington (CA); six grandchildren: Bryce Kevin Johnson, Asiyah Ruth Johnson, Adanya Olivia May Huston, Tyreik Cortez Gooch, Kamyia Kyree LaPointe, Leo LaPointe; and numerous nieces, nephews, a host of other relatives, friends, and church family, who will miss him dearly.
What’s your fondest memory of Milton?
What’s a lesson you learned from Milton?
Share a story where Milton's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Milton you’ll never forget.
How did Milton make you smile?
