James Jeffery Newton

James Jeffrey Newton was born Jan. 21, 1970 at Cannon Air Force Base near Clovis, New Mexico.  He passed from this life May 4, 2020.  He is the son of Patrick J. and Janet J. Newton. 

James had many challenges in his life.   Including a mental illness that took away much of his joy in life.

He is remembered for his love of reading and sharing what he read with others.  His reading interests included Shakespeare, religion, poetry, space, self-improvement, sports, nature, science, and nearly any subject.  He could remember so many details about every subject. 

He was generous with other people’s weaknesses.  He was aware that some of his challenges were scary to others and wished he didn’t make them uncomfortable.

He had a love for music and was always sharing a song he loved.   Sometimes he would lengthen out a car trip 5-10 minutes just to finish a song.  He wanted you to hear his music and would also listen to yours.  Most recently he liked hearing his mother as she practiced the piano.

He was very protective of women and children.  He would defend others who he felt were being mistreated or needed to help.  He was empathetic and truly felt others’ pain.  Once while driving on a busy street he saw a young child wandering in traffic.  He stopped right in the middle of the road and took the little one to safety.

James loved the outdoors and enjoyed scouting.  He did a great job cooking Dutch oven Chicken.  He also had leadership skills and was senior patrol leader of a troop comprised of 8 patrols with 63 boys.  He earned his Eagle, with his project of recording on tape a book “The Old Man and the Sea” for those in a nearby care center to listen to. 

He had a big heart and was generous with his time and money.  He was known to give away his last dollar to anyone who asked.  When he was about 12 or 13, he had a paper route and mowed lawns.  If he thought someone could not afford it, he would mow their lawn for free, or give them a month’s free subscription to the paper.

He was very funny sometimes.  Sunday as we were “social distancing” he had a pair of tongs and gave his sister a pair so they could “shake hands”.

James loved children, especially his nieces and nephews.  He liked playing with and entertaining them until some of his challenges prevented it.

He enjoyed watching and playing sports and sharing stats.  James was very good at baseball and played on his high school team.

James worked many jobs.  Two of his favorites were commercial fishing and working at the airport as he was fascinated by the airplanes. 

James is survived by his parents; his beloved Aunt Betsy; siblings Patty Hales (Rex), John (Laura), Pamela Jane Moseley, Peter (Jennifer); cousin Laurie Dudley; and 14 nieces; and nephews.

Private family services will be held. 

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