James "Jim" LeRoy Newton

Mr. James LeRoy “Jim” Newton, 86, of Bristol, passed away at his home on Friday, June 23, 2023 at 5:10 PM. He had been battling some health issues for some time. He was born in Elkhart to the late William H. and Margaret (Baker) Newton and later married the love of his life Evelyn Louise Kenison in 1954. She survives Jim at home.

Jim is also survived by his son, Michael J. Newton of Bristol; brother Robert C. “Bob” Newton of Las Vegas, NV; sisters: Geraldine “Gerry” Watkins and Mary (John) Bell; son-in law Max Hartman , both of Elkhart; grandchildren: Michele (Scott) Vandiepenbos, Jeffrey Heckenast, Jennifer (Brent) Aspy, Eric (Lisa) Heckenast, Andrew “AJ” (Jillian) Newton, and Jessica (Lee) Waggoner; great grandchildren: Kyle (Jaden), Kaitlyn (Cody) Grimes, Christian, Evelyn, Kaleb, Elizabeth, Matthew, Nathaniel, Emily, Daxford, Thayzen, Saesura,  Abbigayle, and Anna-Kathleen, and great-great granddaughter: Kylee; as well as a whole host of loving extended family, friends and colleagues, including his beloved pooch, Sadie, the chubby Shiba Inu. Along with his parents, Jim is preceded in death by his daughter: Kathleen A. Newton-Hartman, and brothers: Wayne Newton and Richard Lee Newton.

Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Elkhart will be hosting Jim’s homegoing services on Thursday, July 6, 2023, beginning with visitation at 12:00 noon followed by a memorial service beginning at 2:00 pm. Billings Chaplain Jeremy Sarber will officiate Jim’s services and, in accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place. Military Honors will also be rendered by the US Army Funeral Honor Guard and the Elkhart County Veteran’s Honor Guard.

Jim was a strong, quiet loving man with a sense of humor so dry it could make a camel thirsty. Jim did many, many things over his 86 year-long journey here on Earth and he lived his life proud of the accomplishments he achieved and the loving family that he was able to surround himself with. How do you adequately tell the story of a man who dabbled in a lot of interesting activities and adventures? Let’s give it a try.

Officially, Jim retired from Selmer Band Instruments in Elkhart in the early 2000’s as a woodwind assembler, which goes hand in hand with his skill set as a journeyman carpenter and woodworker. Jim had a lot of natural talent with wood and set up a small workshop in his basement where he would build, carve, and whittle all kinds of things. Jim’s approach was to let the wood decide what it was going to become, depending on its unique characteristics.  At the time of his passing, Jim was an active member of the local Carpenters Union, and had worked on several local construction projects including the Johnson Street Bridge, local school constructions and several toll road overpasses. Jim’s basement workshop was his beloved “inner sanctum” and it was a space that made him feel safe and productive. Evelyn was agreeable to Jim spending time in his workshop mancave as long as he kept the wood shavings downstairs as they did not play well with the vacuum. Around the house, Jim was also a fanatical lawn care aficionado and went to great lengths to make sure his yard always looked green and trimmed. Most of the family just figured it was simply a good reason for Jim to get out and ride around on his lawn tractor.

Jim was also very well known for his passion for public service, becoming involved in various Fire, Law Enforcement, Private Investigative and Conservation jobs. His first really altruistic act was cutting out the driveway from State Road 15 back to Copper Canyon as an Eagle Scout Service Project for Boy Scouts (Yes, Jim was an Eagle Scout) His efforts then laid the groundwork for what is now known as Cop’r Canyon Police and FOP shooting range. After that, he joined the Army and served honorably as an Indiana National Guardsman. Over the years, Jim also served as an Elkhart County Sheriff’s Deputy Patrolman under then Sheriff Woody L. Caton, worked for the Elkhart County Civil Defense (now known as Elkhart Emergency Management) and even worked for the Arizona Fish and Game Department in the early 1950’s. He was also a Firefighter for the Goshen City Fire Department for nearly 10 years and he was an original (not “founding”) member of the Osolo Township Volunteer Fire Department, joining in 1959. He served on the department for many years, retiring from OTVFD in 1980. However, he came back to OTVFD around 2010 and served a few more years as a Reserve Firefighter and as the Departmental Historian. He also served as the Bristol Town Marshall in the early 1970’s. During that period of time he organized and formed the Bristol Marshall’s Posse.

Finally, it should be mentioned that Jim was a proud supporter of the 2nd Amendment and belonged to the National Rifle Association. He was also very outspoken about his political beliefs, and liked to volunteer at the polls whenever elections came around. Traditional, conservative and private, Jim tended to mind his own business and just LOVED it when you did the same! As stated earlier about his dry sense of humor, Jim just loved to prank on folks, and whenever he got a “good one” in on someone, at some point he would always smirk and chuckle to himself for a “job well done”.  Jim will be best remembered for his strong sense of independence, inner strength and self-reliance, all qualities that were celebrated by those who loved him.

Friends and family may leave memories, condolences and pictures on Jim’s obit page on the Billings Funeral Home website. Memorials and/or donations may be given in his name to the Osolo Township Fire Department. Thank you for your interest in his life story!

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