James Ross Newton, Sr., 62, passed away Thursday, March 11, 2021. Private memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday at First Baptist Church of Christ. Burial will be private. Rev. Scott Dickison will officiate. Services may be viewed live by visiting www.facebook.com/maconmemorialpark/ In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the American Diabetes Association, PO Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116 or Bibb County Animal Shelter, 4214 Fulton Mill Road, Macon, GA 31216.
Ross was born in Augusta, Georgia the son of the late Faye Lavender Newton and William R. Newton, MD. Ross was retired as an optician and was a member of First Baptist Church of Christ where he was a deacon. He was a graduate of Stratford Academy and attended Mars Hill University in North Carolina. Ross was a member of the Macon Choral Society.
Ross is survived by his wife, Barbara Berry Newton of Macon; children, Matthew Newton (Lindsey), Tyler Newton (Mamie), James Newton, Jr. (Toryn), and Kathleen Newton; granddaughter, Julia Newton; siblings, Mark Newton, MD (Joni), Todd Newton, and Kaye Newton; several nieces and nephews.
“If length of life was based on the content of character and good natured sense of humor, my friend Ross Newton would have a *very* long life. But as happens far too often, this isn't how fate has played out.
I've known Ross and his wife Barbara since before they married, before I met my own wife. Few people have been so consistently good, kind, and welcoming as Ross has been. Two of his children grew up with my own daughter, I'm not sure that Rachel remembers a time before them.
Barbara Ann Newton has been 'my deacon' for many years, despite others being formal assigned to others over the years. I can't imagine her pain at this time.
I've watched Ross with all of his children, Matthew Ross Newton Tyler Newton James Newton and Kathleen Newton, over decades. As a father myself, I know he was a good father indeed.
I've been in Sunday School classes, choirs, worship, church socials, and even singles group stuff with Ross. We were always the better for his being there.
Ross was always Ross, his authentic self, ever time. And I never felt that I couldn't be me around him.
Ross Newton was, and is a good man ... among the best of us. And I suspect better than he knew - mostly because thinking of himself as better that anyone else probably wasn't something he actually thought much about.
I have some beliefs about what happens after this life. If any of it is remotely true, then I think Ross is being greeted as warmly as he greeted others ... in a place that is better than this one ... and with a laughter and enjoyment that has gotten just that much better because that is where he is.
I am still trying to process this loss, but even in this, I feel that same warm, friendly remembrance that I have always felt over all the years each time that Ross Newton's name has come to mind.
Rest in peace. Rest in grace. Rest in laughter, my friend.
Amen.”- Richard Green
Visit www.maconmp.com to express tributes.
Macon Memorial Park Funeral Home & Cemetery has charge of arrangements.
