Junior Newton

Closed casket services are scheduled at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, September 17, at First Baptist Church in Artesia, N.M. for longtime Artesia resident Junior B. Newton of Roswell, New Mexico. Mr. Newton, 65, died Tuesday, September 13, 2005 in Artesia. Rev. Rick Sullivan will officiate at the services with burial at Twin Oaks Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Gary Newton, Owen Puckett, K.R. Newton, Eddie LaRue, Leroy Curry, Sheryl Baker, Larry Ivy, and Bullett Bean. Honorary pallbearers will be Randy Hankins, Billy Snowden, C.E. LaRue, Rusty Clack and all employees of LaRue Drilling. Visitation will be at Terpening Son Mortuary beginning at noon Friday. Mr. Newton was born May 5, 1940 in Eunice, New Mexico; the son of Brownlow Newton and Florence Owens Newton. He was a Rig Mechanic for LaRue Drilling and member of the Baptist Denomination. He loved to fish and hunt. He was preceded in death by his parents and by a sister. Survivors include daughters Debbie Morrison and husband Willie of Artesia, Robin Parra of Artesia, and Liana McAlister and husband Brian of Clovis, N.M.; son Kevin Newton and wife Roxana of Artesia; brothers Ken Newton and wife Jo of Artesia, and Benny Newton of Logan, N.M.; sisters Reba Loyd and husband Dewey of Midland, Texas and Barbara Monroe and husband Norman of Monahans, Texas; 12 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.