Henry Elliott Newton

A great heart stopped beating and a gentle spirit was lost with the death of Henry Elliott Newton, at his residence, Tuesday, March 13, 2018. Mr. Newton was 48 and had been in declining health in recent years. Mr. Newton was born and raised in Memphis, where he attended Presbyterian Day School and Memphis University School. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Henry’s early work experience as a waiter at High Hampton Inn and bellhop at The Hyatt Regency, Knoxville, was well suited to his unique attentiveness to the needs of others. He loved working at subsequent jobs as a Rural Metro Firefighter, EMT, and Dive Rescue Squad member on the Knox County Rescue Squad, with their physical, intellectual and spiritual challenges. His later employment was in the medical field, most recently with Southeastern Retina Associates, where his quiet good humor was an asset appreciated by patients and coworkers alike. He was devoted to his grandparents, the late Margaret and Ernest Newton. Henry followed his family tradition of supporting Old Gray Cemetery by serving on its Board and participating regularly in its annual Lantern Tour. It was as a father to his son, Jack, where his light shone brightest: his complete lack of self-importance and sense of good fun made him an ideal parent for a young boy. In addition to Jack, Mr. Newton is survived by his mother, Alice Gooch Newton, of Memphis; father, E. Douglas Newton (Robin) of Walden, Tennessee; Jack’s mother, Wendy Wells Newton; sister Kate, of Cornelius, NC, half-brothers Nathan, of Suitland, MD, and Matthew; and half-sisters Whitney and Mackenzie, of Pittsburgh, PA; aunt Meg Newton Aiken (Mike) of Lookout Mountain; uncle Edward Albers Newton (Diane) of Collierville, TN; and cousins Polly, Eleanor, and Molly. A private family interment will be held at Old Gray Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held Monday, March 19th at 11am at Church Street United Methodist Church with a Receiving of Friends to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Old Gray Cemetery, 543 N Broadway, Knoxville, TN 37917, Young-Williams Animal Center, 3201 Division St, Knoxville, TN 37919, or Bethany Christian Services, 318 Erin Dr #10, Knoxville, TN 37919.

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Henry Elliott Newton

June 13, 1969 - March 13, 2018