Colonel (Ret.) Forrest Richard Newton was born to Barbara Faye Rice and Forrest Richard Newton, Senior, both of whom preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Cynthia, and their daughter, Dr. Kelly Marie Newton, a pulmonary and critical care specialist at TriStar Centennial Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. He is also survived by his sister, Carron Southall (Michael) of Thomasville, GA and brothers, Dale Newton (Kryss) of Tallahassee, FL, U.S. Army Col. (Ret.) Clayton Newton (Deborah) of Huntsville, AL, and U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer SEAL (Ret.) Scott Wellman of Fowlerville, MI.
In 1968, inspired by a significant family history of military service, Rick enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served in Vietnam. He was awarded the Purple Heart twice before being stationed in Washington D.C. where he was a member of the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon as well as serving at Camp David. In 1970, Rick and Cindy were married on August 25 ultimately returning to their home state of Michigan. While successfully completing his master’s degree, he was an active member of the Ypsilanti Police Department.
After a successful career as a police officer and active involvement in the United States Army Reserve, Rick was commissioned as an active duty Captain in the Military Police of the United States Army. As a family, the Newton’s had many adventures and throughout Rick’s military career the family lived in Anniston, AL, Fort Ritchie, Maryland, West Point, New York, Kwajalein -Republic of the Marshall Islands, Fort Bragg, NC, United States Army Garrison Daegu, South Korea, Fifth U.S. Army San Antonio, TX, the Naval War College in Newport, RI, Camp Red Cloud/Seoul, South Korea, and Fort Meade, MD before retiring in Huntsville, AL.
Throughout his career, while Rick excelled in many facets of being an Army Officer, his heart was always with his soldiers and their families. In addition to his many military awards which included three Legions of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, two Purple Hearts, seven Meritorious Service Medals, Joint Commendation Medal, two Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medal, three National Defense Medal, Iraq Campaign medal with star, Southwest Asia Campaign medal with three stars, Vietnam Campaign medal with two stars, Armed Forces Expeditionary medal, Korean Defense service medal, Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon, he was the recipient of the Humanitarian Service Medal with star. Throughout his time as a soldier, whether as the Battalion Commander of the 728th MP Battalion, the Garrison Commander of Area One South Korea, or the Provost Marshal of Multi-National Corps Iraq, the protection, development, preparedness, training and support of his soldiers/allies and their families were of paramount importance.
He loved being a husband and a father, traveling with his family to wonders of the world such as the Great Wall of China but equally enjoying movie night at home. Rick loved being an uncle and great uncle. At large family parties, he could be found telling stories, listening and giving advice, or instigating controlled mayhem. Wherever he was, there was laughter and love. He was an avid reader and relished reading everything from religious works to history to biographical works and discussing them with anyone who cared to pull up a chair. He also enjoyed musical theater, recently seeing Book of Mormon and Wicked with his family. Rick had a deep appreciation for the outdoors, perhaps stemming from time he spent with his grandfather in Michigan. After retirement, he cultivated trees and roses in the family garden. He enjoyed woodworking and refinishing furniture. Rick was an avid marksman; while he enjoyed shooting and the range, he loved animals and preferred his targets to be clay. There were many dogs in his life, but none as special as his little guy, Jellybean, who loved to be with Rick wherever he went. His love, his laughter, his wisdom, his zest for life made him a true giant among men. He will be missed by all who had the honor and joy to know him.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 6th at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. The memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home chapel.
Contributions to Gary Sinise Foundation, specifically the R.I.S.E program to improve mobility for wounded veterans may be made in his honor.
