Kelly Newton

Kelly was born on March 21, 1950 in Fort Smith, AR to William W. Newton and Zoe Wilburn Newton. He graduated from Southside High School in 1968. He then attended Southern Methodist University where he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. After graduating in 1972 with a degree in Business Management, he returned home to join the family business founded by his grandfather in 1914. After his father's passing, he led the company until his retirement in 2023. Kelly was a respected jeweler and certified gemologist appraiser for many years. In 2019 he received the highest honor awarded by the American Gem Society, the Robert M. Shipley Award for his exemplary service to the Society and its high purposes, objectives and ideals in his community. When he moved back to Fort Smith after college he reconnected with the love of his life, Marilyn. In September 2024, they celebrated 50 years of marriage. They were truly best friends and have always been inseparable. Kelly was the epitome of a family man. He and Marilyn raised three daughters together. Sara and Jennifer, twins and youngest daughter, Lucy. Kelly was a proud father and welcomed all three girls into the family business with open arms. Throughout the years, all five members of the family truly enjoyed working together. Kelly enjoyed singing in his church chancel choir and the Fort Smith Chorale. He also loved golfing and fishing with friends.

Kelly will be remembered as a positive, loving, and honest man. His memory will live on forever with many, especially with his wife, daughters and grandchildren. One of his greatest accomplishments was becoming “K-dad” to his 4 grandchildren, Carson, Lily, Webb and Sara Kathryn. He loved his time with them and was the absolute proudest grandfather.

Kelly was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Kyle and Kevin. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Marilyn Hill Newton, daughters, Sara Lane(Chad), Jennifer Norman (Josh), and Lucy Lundy (Michael), his grandchildren, Carson Newton Lane, Lillian Elizabeth Norman, William Webb Norman and Sara Kathryn Lane, two step grandchildren Emily and Kristopher Lundy, sister in law and brother in law, Louanna and Jack Green, and nephew, Kevin Newton (Lisa), nephew Jeffrey Green ( Maria), niece Courtenay Decker ( Bill), and nephew, Hayden Green.

Memorial service will be held Friday, January 3, 2025 at 2:00pm in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church, under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to First United Methodist Church, Fort Smith Chorale and Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House.