12 Jan 2022Apex, NC, United StatesSamantha Dickens A Brief Summary of a Long, Full, Life:
Dr. William Jackson “Jack” Newton, 89, of Apex, NC, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on January 12, 2022. He was born on July 12, 1932, in Camden, Arkansas to parents Jack Newton and Lucelle Smith Newton. An athletic young man, he loved to play football and participate in track and field. When he began to play the clarinet, he discovered a great love and skill for music that would become his life and legacy.
Jack joined the US Naval Reserve and later received his undergraduate music degree from Southern Arkansas University. The Arkansas and Texas public schools employed him as an instrumental music teacher, and he worked as a music store salesperson and wind instrument technician in Arkansas. In the United States Army, he served as a bandsman in Europe. Having developed a passion for teaching, he went on to receive a Master of Music Education degree and a Doctor of Education degree from North Texas State University. In 1967, Jack then joined the music faculty of Appalachian State Teacher’s College in Boone, NC.
Dr. Newton introduced the Music Industry Studies degree concept at Appalachian State in 1972. It was the first four-year degree to focus on the music products industry. He taught various courses and continued to build the Music Industries program for many years while maintaining a second career as a highly skilled woodwind instrument repair technician. As a pastime, he made oboe and bassoon reeds at home in the evenings. He retired from ASU in 1993 and was awarded Professor Emeritus status at that time. He continued to teach part-time and focus on his repair work until his full retirement.
Jack met Patsy Hartness while she was a graduate assistant teaching flute at ASU. They were married on May 28, 1977, in Blowing Rock, NC. Together they enjoyed performing in pit orchestras for the Blue Ridge Community Theater and in the Community Band. Jack and Pat especially enjoyed those performances when their own children began to participate with them. They lived in Boone until 2005 when they retired to Hampstead, NC. In 2017 they moved to Apex, NC to be with their children and young grandchildren.
Jack was an active man with varied interests. He loved playing clarinet and tenor sax in jazz, concert and Dixieland groups, playing frequently until hearing loss began to interfere with his ability to play. He enjoyed athletics; participating in racquetball games and even track and long jump events in the Senior Olympics in Boone. He adored cheering on the Mountaineers and the Arkansas Razorbacks football teams. For many years he sang in church choirs with his wife and daughter. He enjoyed tinkering with little MGB cars and old campers for trips to the beach with family. In later years, in Hampstead NC, he found peace while fishing on the Surf City Pier in preparation for beloved family fish frys. He whittled little faces out of old clarinet wood to sell at the local fair, and perfected his book entitled Reed Instrument and Flute: A Handbook for Mom, Dad, Students and Teachers. Above all, he loved to spend time with his children and grandchildren. He will be remembered for his peaceful and quiet inner strength, his sense of humor, his dedication to his family and how he simply followed the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Jack is survived by his wife Pat, brother James Newton (Sheila), daughters Laura Newton and Samantha Newton Dickens (Nathan), his stepdaughter Amy L. Everhart, his grandchildren William Jack O'Conner (Carrie Mae), Timothy John Everhart (Jasmine), Micah Charles Dickens, and Lucelle Caroline Dickens. He is also survived by three nieces, a nephew, and several great-nieces and nephews.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, his son William Shelby Newton, and dear cousin William Broadnax.
The family has entrusted Wake Funeral of Cary, NC with the arrangements. No services will be held immediately. The family is hoping to hold a memorial at a later date in Boone, NC.
