Donald Cortez Norfleet, Sr. was born on December 22, 1947 to the union of Willie B. Norfleet and Gencie Mae Perkins at St. Mary's Hospital in Saint Louis, Missouri. His early childhood days were spent in the area of 18th Street and Division Street, East St. Louis, Illinois in the home of his maternal grandmother, Lucy Perkins and was transported between that home and the home of his paternal grandmother, Argie Norfleet. He started his education at St. Mary's Catholic School and graduated from the East St. Louis Sr. High School in the June Class of 1965.

Donald entered the United States Army in 1966 and was Honorably Discharged in 1968. After his tour of duty, he began his working life with Mobil Oil before finding his career and life passion with the East St. Louis Fire Department. He was the Consummate Fire Fighter and achieved the rank of Captain before retiring in 1996 after having given twenty-seven years of service to the East St. Louis community.

Donald was well known in the community and loved by many, because of that love, he was affectionately called by many "Duck" or "Fleet."

Donald courted his childhood sweetheart, Silville Ingram and they wed in June 1969. To this union, one son was born, Donald C. Norfleet, Jr. Donald found love again with Justine Burton-Greer thirty-one years ago and they joined in holy matrimony on August 2009, where they continued to blend their families together as a loving unit.

Donald was a vivid sportsman having actively participated in football, baseball and tennis.

Donald confessed a hope in Christ and united with the Truelight Baptist Church under the pastorate of the late Rev. Henry Nicholson. His membership remained through the current pastor, Rev. Timothy Chambers and he attended church until his health began to fail.

Donald leaves to cherish his memories: his loving wife ~ Justine; three sons ~ Donald C. (Melissa) Norfleet Jr., William (Tiffany) Brewer and Done' Goolsby; bonus children ~ Denise Greer, Courtney Greer and Kimberly Greer; grandchildren ~ Devante Norfleet, Deion Norfleet, Jordan Brewer and Maya Brewer; bonus grandchildren ~ Briana Greer, Bria Greer, Amber Greer and Logan Greer; bonus great-grandchildren  ~ Anita Agnew and Aaden Greer; mother ~ Gencie Mae Perkins; brothers ~ Reginald Phillips and Kevin (Wyvonne) Barnett; sisters-in-law ~ Mary Davis and Christine Scott; brother-in-law ~Winston Langford, Sr.; special sisters ~ Areea Denise Malone, Ivy Peterson, Dorothy (Albert Smith) and Adia (Darren) Perry; special granddaughters ~ Kamryn Pirtle, Andersyn "Lucky" Watts and Morgyn Stricklin; loving uncle ~ Freddy Perkins; lifelong friends ~ Luther Brooks, James Garner, George Smith, Raymond Fowler, Garland Edmonds, Tommy Grimmett, LaMont (Rick) Jackson, Ronald Bolden, Wynard Crawford, Jerome Boyd, Ernest "Pedro" Fields and James Otis Franks; and a host of cousins, other relatives and the East St. Louis Fire Department.