Andrew Quinn Newton

We grieve the passing of Andrew Quinn Newton, age 18, who died on Friday, May 2, 2014 in his hometown, Austin, Texas. He is the beloved son of Gina Quinn-Newton and Lance Newton, the older brother to Ellie Newton, and the first grandchild of Ovie and Robert Quinn, and Mary and Andy Newton.

Andrew was born on November 21, 1995. He was a remarkable senior at Stephen F. Austin High School where he served one year as President in the theatre department. Along with his academic accolades, Andrew was regularly praised for his lead and supporting roles in several plays. He particularly liked playing comedic roles, such as Tom in Round and Round the Garden. Andrew was planning to attend St. Edward’s University, with the ultimate goal of becoming a lawyer.

Andrew was a happy teenager with many friends whom he loved. He enjoyed running on the hike and bike trail, reading books, watching Game of Thrones with his buddies, and spending time on his PlayStation. He was independent, exceptionally responsible and always trustworthy. He was on the straight and narrow path to becoming a good man. Everyone who knew Andrew admired him and was proud to call him a friend.

Andrew deeply loved his family. He regularly hugged and told his mother that he loved her, a rare trait for a teenaged boy. Those were his last words to her, as he left for what everyone expected to be just another day at school. He deeply respected and loved his father, who modeled for him the importance of hard work and diligence. He loved his sister for her sense of humor, beauty and amazing dancing ability. He looked up to his Uncle Jim, who inspired him to be a lawyer someday.

Andrew had a special relationship with his grandparents, Ovie and Bob Quinn. He would wake up early each school day to spend some time over a cup of coffee with his Granny and Papa. He never left their home without telling them both that he loved them, even if he had to walk to the back of the house to find his Papa through the stacks of books that fill his office.

Andrew will be sadly missed. So many people have fond memories of times they shared with Andrew. Perhaps the most fitting is his sister Ellie’s story about recording Andrew when he was trying to learn a song for an audition. She couldn’t stop giggling through all of the takes as he worked to get the melody and words down. It was a moment that aptly captures Andrew’s desire to continually improve and be the best he could be, combined with the love and laughter of his family. The song was One Song Glory:

Find glory in a song that rings truth

Truth like a blazing fire, an eternal flame

Find, one song, a song about love

Glory, from the soul of a young man

Andrew was loved and will be missed by his aunts and uncles, Teresa and Jim Davis, Cathy and Stacy Newton, and Andre and Benson Goebel. He was a friend and role model for his cousins, Maddie Davis, Jack Davis, Ryan Newton, Brandon Newton, Karis Goebel and Kinley Goebel.

To all his family and friends, Andrew will be loyal forever.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, May 8, 2014 at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, May 9, 2014 at Oak Hill United Methodist Church, 7815 Hwy. 290 West. Interment will be private.