Ernest Leroy Newton of 3560 Wildflower Drive, died Sunday, February 10, 2008, at his residence in the Well-Spring Retirement Community, Greensboro, NC. A celebration of his life will be held in Richardson Auditorium at Well-Spring Retirement Community, 4100 Well-Spring Drive, Greensboro, N.C. at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 23, 2008.
Mr. Newton was born in Cody, Wyo. on June 23, 1908, the son of Len Leander and Lula Hohanshelt Newton. He graduated from Cody High School and earned the B.A. degree in English and Journalism from the University of Wyoming. After graduation, he worked with his father at the Wyoming State Journal in Lander, Wyo., and subsequently bought the newspaper and became the editor and publisher. In 1947, he sold the newspaper and attended Stanford University School of Law. After returning to Wyoming, he earned the Juris Doctor degree from the University of Wyoming in 1950.
Mr. Newton practiced law in Lander before being named the Executive Director of the Nevada Taxpayer's Association in 1962, when he moved to Carson City. He held this post until his retirement in 1983 at the age of 75 years. He served on the Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education, the Reagan Presidential Transition Team, and in many other leadership positions in professional, governmental and service organizations. He authored a weekly syndicated column published in Nevada and California on tax policies and law.
He was active throughout his life in the United Methodist Church. He was a 32nd degree Mason and a Shriner. He was a long-time Rotarian, a multiple Paul Harris Fellow and Governor of District 519 (northern California and western Nevada) of Rotary International.
Upon retirement, Mr. And Mrs. Newton moved to North Carolina to be near their daughter and son and their extended families. They traveled in the eastern United States and Europe and returned often to California, Wyoming, and Nevada to visit family and friends.
Mr. Newton was preceded in death by his wife, Celia, to whom he was married for 67 years, his parents and four sisters: Alice, Miriam, Elizabeth, and Catherine. He is survived by three children: James (Marjie-Jo) of Ventura, Calif., Mariana, and Robert (Donna) of Greensboro, N.C. In addition, he is survived by a large extended family of grandchildren and great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the International Rotary Foundation would help to eradicate polio and provide humanitarian help and educational opportunities worldwide. Contributions should be sent to The Rotary Foundation, c/o Anne Fragile, The Rotary Club of Greensboro, 612 Pasteur Drive Suite 402, Greensboro, NC 27403.