Overton was born in Southwestern Michigan. In 1965, his family moved to
Midland, Michigan, for a job with the
Dow Chemical Company. He graduated from
Herbert Henry Dow High School in 1978. He held a
bachelor of science degree in
electrical engineering from
Michigan Technological University and a
Juris Doctor degree from the
Thomas M. Cooley Law School at
Western Michigan University. Overton was admitted to the
State Bar of Michigan in 1994. He was appointed to the Michigan Appellate Defender Commission by Governor
John Engler. His appointment was recommended by the
Michigan Supreme Court. That idea eventually became known as the
Overton window, and his lasting legacy. He died at age 43 from injuries suffered in a crash while piloting an
ultralight aircraft, soon after taking off from
Tuscola Area Airport near
Caro, Michigan. Overton had married on March 29, 2003, only a few months before the accident. Shortly after his death, he was honored by the State Policy Network with the creation of the
Overton Award, a special distinction. It is bestowed infrequently and limited to COOs or Executive VPs of non-profit, free market organizations who demonstrate the personal qualities that Overton possessed. These include humility in supporting their peers, leadership that builds a great team, and developing effective strategies that magnify the ideas and influence of their organization. The Overton Award has been awarded only six times since its inception in 2003. ==See also==