John Calvin Newton's Obituary
John Calvin Newton, Jr,, age 77, was called to his Savior on March 1, 2025, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Calvin Newton, MD and Mary Ann Holliday Newton, and a brother, William Thomas Newton. He is survived by his brother, James Newton Holliday, MD, four nephews and two nieces and their families, and his dear friend Patty Gill.
John was born on March 10, 1947, in San Antonio, TX at the military base hospital where his father was an army captain physician. He was baptized in San Antonio before the family moved to Memphis where they attended St. Stephen’s Methodist Church. They next became congregants at Mullins Methodist Church where John joined the Mullins Methodist Boy Scout Troop 75. He earned the highest rank of Eagle Scout at age 14. He attended the 1960 Boy Scout National Jamboree in Colorado Springs, Colorado. As an adult he became Scoutmaster of a Boy Scout troop in Germantown.
John graduated from White Station High School in 1965 and the University of Memphis with a BA degree on August 14, 1971. He also completed some graduate courses. He worked as a sales representative for Maybelline Cosmetics in Atlanta and later as a FedEx employee at the Memphis International Airport where one of his interesting duties was de-icing the wings of FedEx jets.
John was a longtime resident at Fountain Square Condominiums in Germantown, TN. In October 2023, he moved to the Brightmore Senior Living facility (now The Summit) on Quince Road where he lived until his death. The family is deeply grateful to the compassionate staff at Brightmore/The Summit who took wonderful care of John.
In his younger days, John enjoyed stamp and coin collecting, playing chess, and traveling. One memorable trip was a cruise with his mother to Egypt, France, and Italy. He liked to tell others about riding a camel in the Egyptian desert and climbing up a pyramid. Until the end of his life, John tuned in regularly to the religious radio program of Dr. J. Vernon McGee entitled “Thru the Bible” as well the Turning Point radio program with the sermons of Dr. David Jeremiah. He would often listen to two programs a day. He loved watching college football and keeping up with current affairs. One of his favorite pastimes was dining out, especially at the Half Shell in Memphis, where he was looking forward to celebrating his March 10 birthday with his brother Jim. The family was happy that he was able to attend his nephew Jimmy’s wedding to Allie in September. An animal lover, his last memorable outing was in December to the Memphis Zoo, a place he adored, with his friend Patty, his nephew Dodd, and Dodd’s young daughter. John will be remembered for his soft-spoken manner, his impeccable southern politeness, his love of good food, and above all, his faith that Jesus loved him and died to cover his sins so that he is even now among the saints at the throne of the Lamb.
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