Kenneth Harold Newton

Colonel USA (Ret) Kenneth Harold Newton, of Maumelle, Ark., died November 1, 2014 at his home. Born September 29, 1951, in Little Rock, Arkansas, COL "Fig" Newton received a Bachelor of Science in History from the University of Central Arkansas and a Master of Arts in Human Relations from Webster University. He was also a 1997 graduate of the US Army War College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, as well as a graduate of several Army service schools. He was inducted into the Arkansas National Guard Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame in 2011. COL Newton decided on a soldier's career at an early age. COL Newton was a career full-time Guardsman who began his military service in 1972 as an enlisted soldier in the Arkansas Army National Guard (ARNG) and his full-time service in 1973 as a NG Technician in the USP&FO for Arkansas. Colonel Newton attended Officer Candidate School in 1975, took his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant of Infantry in 1979, and converted to the active duty component in 1981. In his final command, COL Newton was the Commandant of the National Guard Professional Education Center, North Little Rock, Ark., a post he held for five years. However, during his 35 year military career, he excelled in many assignments in varied positions across the globe. COL Newton served as the first Senior National Guard Representative assigned to Headquarters, U.S. Pacific Command, Honolulu, Hawaii, and as the Theater Security Cooperation Programs Branch Chief. COL Newton commanded 3rd Battalion, 153rd Infantry, 39th Infantry Brigade, Arkansas Army National Guard from 1994-1996. COL Newton was one of over 200 Army National Guard Captains who volunteered to serve in the "Captains to Europe" Program, and served with the 3rd Armored Division in Friedberg, Germany. Other active duty assignments include Senior Instructor at the NG Professional Education Center, Operations Officer-National Guard Bureau (NGB) Readiness Division; NGB Inspector General, and Executive Officer to the Chief, NGB, Washington, DC. He was Asst Military Science Instructor at the University of California at Santa Barbara, where he would meet and marry his bride Teresa. He received numerous decorations throughout his career, including the Legion of Merit, and was particularly proud of his Parachutist Badge. Colonel Newton in retirement continued servicing his faith, family, friends and community. At Fellowship Bible Church, West Little Rock, he was active as a leader of a community group. In Maumelle, he was the President of the Board of the Maumelle Country Club, as well as President of his local Home Owners Association. Colonel Newton had also carried on a family tradition of his father and grandfather by sweetening lives as a beekeeper. With over 50 hives in the Arkansas River Valley, he and Alan Reams marketed their product as "Stung a Bunch Honey." It was also in Hawaii where he fell in love with surfing and scuba diving, a hobby he shared with his wife, Teresa. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Vouyne Newton, and infant son, Kenneth Jason Newton. He is survived by his wife, Teresa Newton-Terres of Maumelle, and three children: B. Jonathan and wife April Newton of St. Louis, Mo., Jessica and husband Shawn Hepler of Jacksonville, Ark. and stepdaughter, Dete Israel of Delray Beach, Fla. He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Alexandra, Haven, Asher, Braxton and Brock Newton, and Andrew and Sarah Helpler. He is survived by siblings Colonel USA (Ret) Kathy Chambers and husband Pat of Hawaii and Maumelle, Dale Newton and wife Vicky of Fort Smith, Paul Newton of North Little Rock, and Melinda Reams and husband Alan of Russellville, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and countless cousins. Visitation will be held Wednesday Nov 5, 6-8 p.m. at Griffin-Leggett Rest Hills Funeral Home, North Little Rock. Memorial service will be held Thursday Nov 6, 10 a.m. at Fellowship Bible Church, Little Rock. Burial with full military honors will be held at 3 p.m. at Newton Chapel Cemetery, near Star City, Ark. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Maumelle Country Club, attention Newton Memorial Fund, or to Fellowship Bible Church in honor of Ken Newton to aid military families.