Maurice Newton

Maurice Lavell Newton, age 91 of Kerrville, passed away Monday, February 1, 2016 at his residence.\r\n \r\nHe was born at home on February 7, 1924 in Electra, Texas to Elmer and Lula Newton. He was the third of four children born to this union.\r\n \r\nThe family moved to Jefferson, where Maurice attended his first year of high school. The oil activity subsided, and in October of 1939, Maurice's father was laid off. The family then moved on to the Texas Panhandle, where they had relatives. The family settled in Pampa, Texas that fall. This is where Maurice worked as a messenger boy on the evening shift, enabling him to attend high school.\r\n \r\nIn October of 1942, Maurice volunteered for the US Army Air Corps where he attended technical schools, and served as a Radio Operator Mechanic for thirty eight months.\r\n \r\nAfter returning from the service in early 1946, he took certain tests at Pampa High School and graduated with the ‘46 class.\r\n \r\nHaving an interest in Highway Engineering, Maurice contacted the Texas Highway Department about an on the job training program they had begun to train veterans in highway design and construction. On February 1, 1946, he was hired in one of these positions.\r\n \r\nAfter returning from World War II service, Maurice met Patsy Dezern, who lived next door to his parents. After a brief courtship, they were married at the First Baptist Church in Pampa on March 23, 1946. There were three children born to this union: Michael Wayne on February 11, 1947, Carroll Lynn on November 27, 1949, and Teresa Lavell on April 11, 1951.\r\n \r\nOn March 1, 1972, the Newton family moved to Austin. Maurice and Pat worked in Austin until their retirement in 1988, when they moved to the Texas Hill Country to enjoy their retirement years near and in Kerrville, Texas.\r\n \r\nMaurice taught a men's Bible class for many years in Pampa and in Kerrville. He was a member of Western Hills Baptist Church of Kerrville.\r\n \r\nHe was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters; and a son, Buddy Newton. \r\n \r\nSurvivors include his wife of 69 years, Pat Newton of the home; a son, Michael Newton of New Hampshire; daughter, Terry and son-in-law, Kris of Pampa; six grandchildren, Michael Newton Jr., Tammy Aldrich, David Gamblin, Kyle Gamblin, Barry Newton, and Rob Munson; and great grandchildren, Michaela, Bryce, Tanner, Hope, Ella, Emerson, John Luke, Duncan, Gage, Gracee and Whitney.\r\n \r\nServices will be held 3:30 PM, Friday, February 5, 2016 at Grimes Funeral Chapels officiated by Rev. Frank Pullin.\r\n \r\nMemorials may be made to Peterson Hospice.\r\n \r\n \r\n