Gordon B. Newton

Nancy, Gordon and Kim Newton announce with great sadness the death of their father, Gordon B. Newton on May 4, 2019. Gordon was the son of Mabel Burrough and Leo M. Newton. He was born on June 2, 1927 on the family farm in Flushing, Michigan. He was the youngest of nine children and had a close and loving relationship with his siblings throughout their lives. Growing up on the farm sparked his love of nature and animals, a passion he had his entire life. This was a gift he passed along to his children. When he graduated from high school he went to General Motors Institute in Flint, Michigan. There he met June Cox. She said he thought he was just too cool and she did not pay attention to him. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on his 18th Birthday. His father, who already had three sons and a son-in-law in service, could not understand why Gordon wanted to be a marine. He told his Dad that he thought he could get the best training there. He always said this was true! When he left the Marines he returned to Michigan and went to work for General Motors. He also renewed his acquaintance with June Cox. She said he had changed and was more mature and thoughtful. They were married on June 12, 1948 in Flushing. They lived in Flint for a few years and then moved to St. Clair Shores, MI when Gordon went to work for Westinghouse X-Ray. Their three children were born while living there. In 1965, Gordon went back to General Motors and came to Ohio to work at the Lordstown location which was in the process of being built. He worked in the safety department. Gordon was a member and past president of the Canfield Conservation Club. He and June enjoyed many years at the club with the friends they made there. They were also members of the Canfield Methodist Church. Gordon retired in 1986 and together he and June spent the following years traveling, working in their yard and loving their grandchildren. Their greatest joy was watching them grow and thrive. There wasnt a time when he wasnt excited to see them and regale them with stories and kindness. The great grandchildren were a special source of wonder and watching them play was a sweet gift. He lost June on December 28, 2013. He never lost his love of nature and during his final years, spent many hours watching the birds, deer and fox in his back yard. He not only watched them, he studied their behaviors and could point out how and why they did certain things. He always found reasons to be happy, curious and grateful. He is survived by his daughter Nancy Newton of Canfield, his son Gordon Newton and his wife Ramune Kubiliunas of Willoughby Hills and his daughter Kim Newton and her husband Jim Goodwin of Terrace Park. He is also survived by his grandson Geoffrey Newton and his wife, Josephine Chuang and their children Grant and Hazel, of Falls Church VA, his granddaughter Kristina Newton and her husband Robert Moore and their son Grayson of Colorado Springs CO, and grandsons Jake Newton Goodwin and Gordon Newton Goodwin of Terrace Park. The family would like to thank the nurses at Shepard of the Valley in Boardman and the nurses and staff of Hospice of the Valley. Their kindness, compassion and professionalism brought comfort to Gordon and were a source of support and wisdom to the family. A private memorial will be held at a later date.