Samuel Newton

Sam Newton, 87, passed away July 21. Survived by his wife of 60 years, Hilda, son Stephen (Lynne), daughter Carol Ann (Jim) Stout, grandchildren Kelley and Bridget Newton, Tyler and Holly Stout. Preceded in death by his daughter Deborah Parker Newton. Sam was born in Sioux City, Iowa. His parents, James Parker Newton and Nellie Geneva Stacklin, owned the Blue Barrel Soap Company. Sam spent many summers as a youth at the YMCA Camp Chief Ouray where he grew to love Colorado. He attended Colorado College in Colorado Springs where he met and later married Hilda Brickell. He served in the 401 91st Bomb Group for the American Army Air Force during WWII and piloted 32 missions in the B-17 ""Flying Fortress."" His copilot, Bert Stiles, recounted Sam's daring and flamboyant style in his book, ""Serenade to the Big Bird."" After the war, Sam began a six-decade adventure into entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and community support. He started his career as a travelling salesman, and subsequently owned a carwash, a bowling alley, a wholesale distributorship, a storage lot, an avionics company, and a chain of dinner theatres, most notably the Country Dinner Playhouse. Among his many awards, he was inducted into the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. He was a past president of the First National Bank of Englewood. Numerous organizations including Easter Seals, the YMCA, and the National Western Stock Show received his whole-hearted support. He co-founded the Skyline Acres Swim & Tennis Club. He cheered the Denver Broncos and the Air Force Academy Falcons. Sam was an officer and a gentleman and a loving family man. He savored the spotlight without being boastful. He had an overwhelming sense of family values. And more than anything else on earth, he wanted to be a cowboy. He will be deeply missed by all whose lives he brightened with his corny jokes and his wild sense of humor. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, July 29, 10AM at Church of the Risen Christ, 3060 S. Monaco Pkwy. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to Easter Seals of Colorado, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (research), or The American Diabetes Association.