Michael Gene Newton

Mr. Michael Gene Newton, of Cherry Log, died Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, at home with family at his side. He was born in Biloxi, Miss., Jan. 24, 1948, to Emory Eugene and Thelma Massey Newton.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in Anchorage, Alaska, in 1969-1971; and a graduate of Middle Georgia State University in Cochran.

During his career, he was a registered architect and worked for Thompson, Handcock and Witte, Architects and Arnold and Spiess, Architects, both of Atlanta. His last design was his beloved “cabin by the creek” in Cherry Log where he lived for 10 years.

He said of himself, “I’m just a simple guy.” He dabbled in stamp and coin collecting and loved to garden.

During his retirement in Cherry Log, he enjoyed working part time watering flowers at Lowe’s and as a volunteer driver for the DAV, driving senior vets to the VA Hospital in Decatur.

He was quiet, loyal and loving; he had a strong quiet faith in God, and was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Ellijay, and Creekside Messianic Fellowship, Jasper.

He made his profession of faith in Jesus and was baptized at the age of 14.

He is survived by wife of 53 years, Kathleen Fones Newton; and children, M. Scott Newton, wife, Andrea, and their daughter Abigail, of Marietta; David A. Newton, wife, Lisa, and son, Luke, of Buford; and Rebekah Newton Reid and husband, Matthew, of Biltmore Lake, N.C.; sisters, Judy N. Doherty, of Stephens, Gail N. Kidwell, of Bealeton, Va.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The celebration of his life will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, 2022, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church with visitation at the church 1-2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Christian Learning Center of Gilmer County or to Pleasant Grove Baptist Church (with CLC on Memo Line), in memory of Mr. Newton.