This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: marcenath158 Surnames: Newton, Robinson, Hodsden, Armstrong Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.newmexico.counties.donaana/5286/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Dr. Dwight E. Newton, 86, of Las Cruces died in his sleep on Thursday, February 3, 2011, after a lengthy illness. Dwight was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Bonnie Ann, and his sister, Alice Jeanne. He is survived by his daughter, Sharon Lynn Fish of Oregon City, OR, his son, Dwight Edmund Newton, Jr. of San Diego, CA, sisters, Helen Hodsden of Baltimore, OH, Margaret Armstrong, of Leawood, KS, brothers Richard and Benjamin Newton of Kansas City, MO, ten nieces and nephews, fifteen great nieces and nephews, and seven great, great nieces and nephews. Dwight was born April 24, 1924, on a farm in southeast Kansas, the son of Rev. Clarence Hitchcock and Kathryn Newton. He attended a one room schoolhouse during his early years, and graduated from Chetopa High School in 1942. In August, 1942, at age 18, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet, graduating in December, 1943 as a navigator. He was assigned to the 8th Air Force and was stationed in Addelborough Green, England. He flew over 31 missions as a navigator on B-17's. His planes took shrapnel many times, and during one mission a piece of shrapnel pierced his helmet, which was sitting next to him, causing a gaping hole that traveled through both sides. In 1945, Dwight was transferred to Kessler Field in Mississippi for training in air-sea rescue. He was stationed in Okinawa, and became the Squadron Navigator of the 7th Air and Sea Rescue Squadron. During his military service, Dwight earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with three bronze oak ! leaf clusters, the Air Force Commendation and Outstanding Unit Award, the American, European, African, Middle Eastern and Asiatic Campaign Medal, the WW II Victory Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Air Force Longevity Medal with three bronze oak leaf clusters. In 1946 Dwight was discharged from the air force as a Captain. That same year he enrolled in pre-med at the University of Kansas. He married Bonnie Ann Robinson, March 22, 1952. Dwight graduated from the University Of Kansas School Of Medicine in 1953. Upon graduation, Dwight re-joined the air force and started his internship at Valley Forge Hospital in Phoenixville, PA. From 1954-1958 he pursued his general surgery residency at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX. In 1959 he was awarded a master's degree in surgery from Baylor Medical School and was certified in surgery by the American Board of Surgery. After a course in Air Force Medicine at Gunter AFB in Alabama Dwight served as Director ! of Hospital Services and Chief of Surgery. He served as Hospital Comma nder at various facilities including Selfridge AFB, Richards Gebaur AFB, and the 4683rd USAF Hospital in Thule, Greenland. While in Greenland he was featured in an article titled "In the Spotlight, Surgeon is a Man of Many Interests". In 1962, Dwight and Bonnie came to New Mexico where they were stationed at Holloman AFB. On July 1, 1971, Colonel Dwight Newton retired from the Air Force after serving his country for 29 years. Dwight then spent a year working at Kaiser Permanente in Sacramento, CA. In 1972 the Newtons moved to Las Cruces to set up permanent residence. Dwight resumed his medical practice and formed Newton Enterprises in April, 1996 at the age of 72; Dwight retired from his surgical practice. He helped save many lives during his 50 years in medicine. He began to pursue his many hobbies, including listening to music (his favorite artist was Marty Robbins), eating out, movies, reading, hunting and fishing. There will be a memorial service Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 2:00 P.M. at the University United Methodist Church, 2000 Locust Ave., Las Cruces. Interment at Wilamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to the University United Methodist Church or to the New Mexico, Chapter of APDA, 10817 Griffith Park Dr. NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87123. Postscript by Sharon (Sherrie) Lynn Fish: (My Fathers and my favorite hymn was written by John Newton, it's called - AMAZING GRACE). In my life there is one thing that I have come to know and that is this . . . it's appointed that every man and woman will die, then after that we face God's judgment. But God has provided a way for us to be with him and that is through His Son Yeshua; (Jesus Christ). I pray that you will experience God's Amazing Grace by receiving Jesus into your life as your personal Lord and Savior. My Father and I made this life changing commitment in our own lives and I pray that you will experience God's love through His Son Jesus in your life. ~Sharon (Sherrie) Newton Fish~ Published in Las Cruces Sun-News on March 19, 2011 Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.