Albert Sidney Newton Jr's Obituary
ALBERT SIDNEY (Sid) NEWTON, JR of Sun City Center, Florida, went to be with the Lord on Friday, January 10, at Life Path Hospice, Sun City Center. He had recently celebrated his 80th birthday with his family.
Sid was born January 1, 1934, in Memphis, Tennessee to Albert Sidney Newton and Lillian Margaret Milner. His father died when Sid was a young boy, but his mother, a public school principal, ensured Sid excelled in school, mastered the trumpet, became an Eagle Boy Scout, and enjoyed many outdoor camps and adventures in Arkansas and Tennessee. An accomplished teenage trumpet player, he appeared on the Ted Mack "The Original Amateur Hour." He attended the University of Mississippi as an ROTC cadet, during which time he met the love of his life, Jean Love Guyton. Following graduation from Ole Miss, Sid was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force, in which he pursued his dream to fly fighter jets. Shortly after college, Sid and Jean were married at the Second Presbyterian Church, Memphis, Tennessee on October 4, 1957. For their first ten years of marriage, while Sid served as a fighter pilot in the USAF, they lived in Okinawa, Japan and Texas. Among his accomplishments as a pilot, Sid won the coveted "Top Gun" fighter pilot of the Pacific in 1959. In 1965, Sid left military service and became a commercial airline pilot with Trans World Airlines (TWA). From 1965 to 1989, Sid, Jean, and their three daughters (Lisa, Carol, and Kathy) enjoyed friends and life at their Weatherby Lake home, north of Kansas City, Missouri. After 24 years of distinguished service, Sid retired as an airline captain and moved to Florida. In retirement Sid and Jean called Kissimmee, Estero, and then Sun City Center home, and also enjoyed summers in Land Harbor, Linville, North Carolina.
Sid's life was dedicated to faith, family, and friends. An inquisitive disciple of Jesus, Sid regularly participated in Bible study and worship throughout his life. He was a faithful member of churches in Kansas City and Newland, North Carolina, as well as Trinity Baptist Church in Sun City Center, Florida. Sid was a faithful American patriot, proud of his military service during tense years of the Cold War era. He was also a faithful and loving son, husband, father, and grandfather. As a proud family man, Sid was eager to tell stories about his mother and wife, including the night he first saw Jean and fell madly in love. He would also eagerly share stories about his three daughters, their husbands, and especially his five grandchildren. In 2007, Sid and Jean celebrated 50 years of marriage in a surprise party with family and friends in Land Harbor, North Carolina. Sid also remained a committed friend throughout his life, and enjoyed life-long friendships with many in Kansas City, North Carolina, and Florida. Sid's friends will undoubtedly remember his quick wit, humor, story-telling, and personal kindness. His personal interests included outdoor sports, fishing, walking, fitness, and volunteering. Volunteer community organizations he was eager to support included the County Sheriff's Office of Platte County, MO, and Young Life.
Sid leaves a legacy of faith, love, and patriotism with those who were blessed to call him husband, dad, grandpa, and friend, including his wife Jean Guyton Newton of Sun City Center, FL; daughter Lisa and Steve Davis and granddaughter Michaela of Dallas, TX; daughter Carol and Bruce Glover and granddaughters Claire and Jessica; and daughter Kathy and Greg Seckington and grandchildren Emily and Ben of San Diego, CA.
A memorial celebration of Sid's faith and life will be held Saturday, January 25, 3:00 p.m. at Aston Gardens Clubhouse, 1311 Aston Gardens Court, Sun City Center, Florida. In lieu offlowers, the family suggests a donation to Trinity Baptist Church, 702 Del Webb Blvd W, Sun City Center, FL 33573; or Life Path Hospice, 3725 Upper Creek Dr, Ruskin, FL 33573.
What’s your fondest memory of Albert?
What’s a lesson you learned from Albert?
Share a story where Albert's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Albert you’ll never forget.
How did Albert make you smile?