Joseph Linwood Newton

Joseph Linwood Newton was born October 21, 1918, the second son of Cuther F. and Ora Clay Newton of Creedmoor. Being of a family of long-established tobacco farmers, he began to work at an early age. His mother, in particular, was pleased and proud that he sang constantly while plowing or doing other chores. After graduation with honors from Creedmoor High School, he remained on the farm until the outbreak of World War II. Upon his swearing in with the U.S. Army, he underwent rigorous training at many U.S. locations for desert, jungle and arctic warfare. Ultimately, he was a member of the 7th Armored Division, serving with distinction as a Communications Officer and Tank Sergeant. The campaign of the 7th was in the European Theater of War, victoriously traversing the major fronts of the march towards Berlin. He was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge, spending the remainder of the war recuperating in England. After his return to Creedmoor, he shortly decided that farming was not for him. He applied and was accepted at Duke University, but financial concerns prevented his attending. At that time, he elected to go to Kings Business College in Raleigh. During his time there, he also worked as a tobacco auctioneer and grader, then in sales at Montgomery Ward. Afterwards, he took a position as manager of the Sears Roebuck warehouse in Durham, then transferring to floor and outside sales in the Main Street store in Durham. He retired in 1984 after 38 years of service. Though not a “born salesman,” he worked harder than the rest and repeatedly established sales records that are most likely unsurpassed today. While at Sears in the 40s, he met and married a young war widow with a son, Mavis Smith. Together, they bore and raised two of their own sons as well as Mrs. Newton’s son. Mavis was taken in 1976 by Lou Gehrig’s Disease, at a great loss to Mr. Newton and her sons. He later married Hazel Rich Phillips and they enjoyed widespread travelling and dining throughout the U.S. When not on adventure, Mr. Newton tended his rather large garden which the produce from was anticipated by all who knew him. (He finally revealed some of his secrets several years ago when his son, Hal, took over the gardening.) He is survived by his sons, Joseph L. Newton Jr. and wife, Tina, Franklin T. Newton, Hal B. Farthing Jr. and wife, Judy, as well as seven grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. He has a sister, Mary Lyon of Durham and Junior Newton of same. Also surviving are numerous cousins, second-cousins and distant relations by blood or marriage.Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Hudson Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Carolina Memorial Gardens in Creedmoor. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday prior to the service at Hudson Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Durham Rescue Mission, 1201 E. Main St., Durham, NC 27701.