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 James Isaac Newton 1929 2009, A-J 1946, Classmate.
Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.
JONESBORO - James Isaac Newton, born May 9, 1929, to William E. "Buck" Newton and Gladys Marie Newton, was freed from his pain from lung cancer Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009.
He passed away quietly in his sleep at home. He was known as Papa because his first grandchild could not say grandpa.
James will be reunited with his mother; father; brother, Stacey, and wife, Elaine; sister, Doris and husband, Bob Hayes; son-in-law, Robert Cobb; first grandchild, Tracey; great-grandson, Tommy;
and his best friends, Paul Pearl, John Evans and Ray Pope. We all know James will be telling funny stories to the family and friends he is reunited with. If we listen close enough when the skies
are resting, we can hear James laugh, a laugh that was heard in life with him, and unfortunately now without him. James will be in a better place, listening to George Jones, waiting to dance once
again to "The Waltz of the Wind." James is survived by the love of his life, his wife, Margaret; a daughter, Marilyn Kay Newton of Anna; one son, James Leroy (Linda) Newton of Glendora, Calif.;
and youngest daughter, Cathy Sue Cobb of Anna; nine grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. James is also survived by his brothers,
Frank Newton and wife, Juanita, of Rochelle, Earnie Newton and wife, Verlinda, of Cobden, Donald Newton and wife, Lisa, of Springfield; and sister, Shirley Jones and her husband, Jim, of Lake of
Egypt. James was born and raised in Jonesboro. He graduated from Anna-Jonesboro High School in 1946. James married Margaret Smith on May 8, 1948, and started their union in a small basement
apartment in Anna. Three years later, looking for better opportunities, James and his family relocated to the St. Louis area. In 1966, James, Margaret, Kay, Leroy and Cathy relocated further
north to Elgin. During this time, James spent more than 30 years in the printing industry. He got the reputation of being very intelligent, generous and dependable, and he never missed work,
something he was proud of. James was too honest to be a politician or a salesman. He loved his job. He was remembered as saying, "I loved going to work every morning! I enjoyed the challenge
of what each day would bring." James retired in 1994 and in 1997 moved back to Anna to care for his ill mother, Marie. During this time, James and Margaret bought a home next door to their first
apartment where they began their lives more than 60 years earlier, bringing James and Margaret full circle, from beginning to end. James was one who never stayed idle for too long.
He loved to fish, camp and travel. James loved to tell stories about his travels to the Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore, Mount Saint Helens, Las Vegas, California, Tennessee, the Florida Keys,
Mexico and Canada. In his retirement years, James was still full of vigor. If he wasn't improving his home, playing slots on the casino boat or woodworking, he would sit long enough to do his
crosswordpuzzles. James always took steps to live his life, something he showed people how to do, not just tell them. During James' last days, he was remembered as saying, "I have lived a good
life! I have everything a man could ever want." His only regret ever mentioned was that he could not be around to care for his beloved wife, Margaret; a selfless thought from a selfless man.
James Isaac Newton, who was loved by his parents, four brothers, two sisters, his wife, three children, nine grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren and countless
others, will be missed greatly. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday Jan. 31, 2009, in Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro, with Earnie "Ike" Newton from the Eagles Nest Watch
Ministries officiating. Interment will be in Jonesboro Cemetery. Friend may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, and envelopes
will be available at the funeral home. This day we will not mourn James' death, but celebrate his life with the many whose lives he touched.
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