Gary R. Newton, 79, Belfield, died Saturday, October 9, 2021 at CHI St. Alexius Dickinson. Gary’s Funeral Service will be at 9 a.m., Wednesday, October 13, 2021 at Belfield Lutheran Church, with Rev. Dawn Busch officiating. Interment will take place at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Military Honors will be provided by the Belfield American Legion William C. Blair Post 144. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.
Gary R. Newton was born on August 5, 1942 in Dickinson, the son of Russell and Gladys (Larson) Newton. He was raised and educated in Belfield, having graduated from Belfield High School in 1961. Gary joined the United States Navy and served honorably for four years as a Gunners Mate with the Pacific Fleet. Following his discharge, he returned to Belfield and began farming.
Gary was united in marriage to Julie Ann Pletan on October 9, 1970 in Dickinson and they had three children.
During his farming, he also worked at other various jobs such as in a gold mine in Lead, SD, Knopik Lumber, Stoppleworth, Delta Pipeline, Hlebechuk Construction, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and was co-owner of U-Wash Car Wash in Dickinson. He also ran a feedlot until 1983, where he butchered and sold beef. He enjoyed woodworking, especially with oak and was an excellent fabricator, having built steel buildings and doing his own mechanic work.
He belonged to the Belfield American Legion, having served as Post Commander in 1983 and having held other offices. He also served on the color guard for many military funerals. He enjoyed walking, loved the outdoors, auction sales, playing with the great-grandkids, especially spending time with his family.
Gary is survived by his wife, Julie; their children, Tricia Ann (Mitch) Schwede, Dickinson, Clif Eric (Kerry) Newton, Black Hawk, SD and Daniel Aron (Judy) Newton, Las Vegas, Nev.; eight grandchildren, Thomas Myran, Jennifer (Drew) Durgin, Olivia Newton, Sarah Newton, Lane Newton, Daniel (Mikayla) Newton, Alexandra Newton and Timothy Newton; three great-grandchildren, Emberlynn, Declan and Layne Durgin; three brothers, Kenneth (Barb) Newton, Belfield, Robert (Nancy) Newton, South Heart and Terry Newton, Belfield; sister-in-law, Pam Pavlicek; brother-in-law, Michael Pletan; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Keith and Johnny Alan; sister, Ruth Ann Newton; granddaughter, Mallory Newton; brother-in-law, Denis Pavlicek; sister-in-law, Diane Pletan; nieces, Kelcee Jo Pavlicek, Charmion Newton, and Nancy Newton; and in-laws, Orion and Pat Pletan.
