Charles Alton Newton III

Charles Alton Newton III, known as “Chuck” was born September 21, 1966, in Bad Kreuznach, Germany, to Charles Alton Newton, Jr., and Florence Bridget Faulhaber Newton, and was baptized and later confirmed into the Catholic Church. Chuck has two younger siblings, Ann Marie and Thomas George.  Chuck’s father was a career soldier, and the family moved approximately 10 times during Chuck’s childhood to places beyond Germany, such as Maryland, Pennsylvania, El Paso and Houston, Texas, and Hawaii.  

 Chuck was exceptionally intelligent and graduated from High School in Spring, Texas, at 16.  He studied at the University of Texas in Austin for his first two years of college.  Chuck then enlisted in the Army, following in his father’s footsteps.  Chuck was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division, served during the Gulf War, and spent the majority of his enlistment in military intelligence as a linguist. Chuck was married while in the Army and had two daughters, Morgan Elizabeth and Jocelyn, from his first wife, Carol Ritter.  Chuck completed his bachelor’s degree utilizing the GI Bill, graduating from Southwest Texas State University, the alma mater of both his paternal great grandfather and his sister.

Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, Chuck had a second career in publishing.  Within the 11 years he worked for Lammert Publications, he worked his way up to a VP role. He had a love of history, and was proud of the textbooks and coffee table books he edited and published while at Lammert Publications.  During this time, he and Carol divorced, and Chuck met and married Michele Newton, gaining a step son, Nikolas Fridley.  Chuck and Michele also had a son together, his namesake, Charles Alton Newton, IV, “Chase”.

Chuck loved music, fishing, hunting, reading, debating, cooking, grilling, and beer.  He was known to read up to four books at one time, and liked crossword and sudoku puzzles.  He also played a mean game of Scrabble.  As a child he would tell people that he was going to be an Archaeologist in the study of paleontology - and he continued having an appreciation for artifacts and art museums as an adult.  His other loves were spending time with his boys and photography.  During his third marriage to Leann, he enjoyed ranch living and taking care of horses.  He fashioned himself a cowboy, typically wearing jeans, boots, and a cowboy hat, and driving an old clunker truck.

Later in life he moved back to Hawaii, where he had attended 7th through 9th grades.  While in Hawaii, he became a teacher at an all-girls Catholic school.  He also began graduate school and planned to continue his education through PhD.

Sadly, Chuck spent the last 12 years of his life in prison in Colorado.  Recently he shared that it actually extended his life to be there and to get sober.  He received intensive counseling, and after years of introspection, he was truly remorseful of his transgressions. He was determined to give back to humanity and became a mentor to other inmates.  He was a teacher and tutor, helping countless inmates earn their GED in an effort to improve their opportunities upon their release.  He had many friends and was well liked by prison administration.  He remained closely connected to his sister and son during this time.

Chuck was diagnosed with colon cancer in late summer of 2021.  He underwent surgeries and chemotherapy for the remainder of his life.  He died of Stage 4 colon cancer on January 23, 2024, in Canon City, Colorado. His dying wish was to be buried in a National Cemetery with military honors, and to have a party and share stories and remember the good times.  Today we are fulfilling this wish. Chucky-ucky-uckems, you are loved and missed.  Thank you for your service.  We are thankful that you are no longer in pain and can rest in peace.

Chuck is survived by his mother, Florence Bridget Goff, sister, Ann Marie Magie, brother, Thomas (Tommy) George Newton, daughters, Morgan Elizabeth and Jocelyn Newton, and son Charles Alton Newton, IV (Chase).

Online condolences at davismortuary.com