The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Gerald Vernon Newton, 73, of the Forest Heights area of Orange, passed away at his daughter’s home Sunday, Sept. 2, after a struggle with illness. Born on Sept. 19, 1938 in Ottawa, Illinois to his parents, William Howard Newton and Dora Avo (Conley) Newton, he had lived in the Orange area since 1976 and he retired in 1993 as a process operator from the Gulf Oil Refinery from the Cumene Unit in Port Arthur.

Mr. Newton spent 20 years serving in the United States Navy where he served aboard the U. S. S. Sarsfield. Mr. Newton was very patriotic, he maintained a newsletter among the men he served on the ship with, he enjoyed listening to conservative talk radio, going fishing, woodworking, he enjoyed eating Blue Bell Ice Cream, he kept in touch with the outside world by way of his computer and he enjoyed listening to the Cajun Jamboree every Sunday morning on KLVI in Beaumont. He was also helpful and assisted in the planning on the project with the U. S. S. Orleck.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 46 years, Patricia Newton and his favorite cousin, Max Conley.

Those who will most cherish his memory are his daughters, Katherine Flanigan and husband, Allen of Orange and Cheryl Riley and husband, Wayne of Groves; his son, Michael Newton and wife, Sallie of Skiatook, OK; his sister, Sharon Tilden and husband, Edward of Winchester, KS; grandchildren, Samantha Baker and husband, Dwiatt, Bridget Blakeney and husband, Kyle, Tanner Potter, Kaylee Dean, Karson Dean, Keaton Dean, Marissa Newton and Madison Newton; great grandchildren, Abagail Blakeney and a great grandson on the way whom he called Speck.

Gerald Vernon Newton

Services to honor Mr. Newton’s life will be at 2:00 P.M. Thursday, Sept. 6, in the Chapel of Dorman Funeral Home in Orange with the Rev. Doug Bray, officiating. Military Honors and Interment will follow services in Hillcrest Memorial Gardens near Bridge City where he will be laid to rest next to his wife.

A gathering of family and friends will be from 5:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Honoring Mr. Newton as pallbearers are Michael Newton, Wayne Riley, Allen Flanigan, Tanner Potter, Dwiatt Baker, Kyle Blakeney, and Ronald Tilden. Honorary pallbearers are Ed Tilden, Jerry Todd, Manny Sylvia and Gene Oxford.

Mr. Newton’s family wishes to thank the nurses and staff of River City Hospice and also to his caregivers, Vanecia Thibodeaux and Velma Hopkins. Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.dormanfuneralhome.com.