Jonathan Arnell Porter Newton
Jonathan Arnell Porter NewtonSeptember 17, 1962 – July 5, 2018
Jonathan Arnell Porter Newton was born on September 17th, 1962 to James Sinclair Newton and Ramona Robbins Porter Newton in Detroit, Michigan.
Jonathan is survived by his only sibling David Sinclair Robbins Newton, his elder brother by 13 months. He is also survived by close cousins Linda Williams, Stephany Boyd, Luanne Wills-Merrell, Randy Watkins, and his Aunt Margret Ewing.
Jonathan attended Redford High School where he graduated in 1980. He went on to work and go to Wayne State University where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in economics. Jonathan then worked as a teacher for the Detroit public school system teaching economics and special education. Most recently Jonathan taught at Harper Woods High School.
Jonathan lived a Christian life and was devoted to taking care of his elderly parents and invalid Aunt up until her passing in 2016.
Jonathan, although not a musician, was a great lover and supporter of music. Soul, jazz, broadway musicals, and opera, held a deep meaning in his life. He created strong bonds with his friends and family as he went with them to concerts and shows. Jonathan shared this special love of music with his mother, Ramona Newton, whom he took special pride in escorting to operas and musicals. That created a special bond with her after the passing of her husband, and his father, James Newton after he suffered a long illness.
Jonathan also took a special interest in his brother, David Newton, and his career as a sculptor, and assistant professor. He showed great support for his brother’s career throughout his life.
The amazing love he showed toward his brother is personified over the past year as his brother David Newton underwent two major brain surgeries. Jonathan supported his brother’s recovery by staying with him in St. Louis, Missouri during the summer of 2017.
The tragedy of Jonathan’s passing occurred as he again attended to his brother’s recovery after the second surgery during May and June of this year. Jonathan passed away from pneumonia on July 5th in St. Louis, Missouri.
It is with abundant love and respect that Jonathan Newton’s brother and family remember him for the great sacrifices that he made for his family in their times of need, as he is placed in the care of Jesus Christ to receive his love and promise of being resurrected into a new world of love and joy surrounded by his family again in paradise.
Service Monday, July 30,2018
Greater Grace Temple
Detroit, Michigan
23500 W. Seven Mile Rd, Detroit, MI 48219
Family Hour 10:30 AM – Memorial Service 11:00 AM
Assistant Pastor Bernard Maing, Officiating
I’ll never forget my 40th birthday. Jonathan flew in from Detroit to take me to see The Three Tenors. I was not a fan of opera and he paid $150.00 so we could look at the back of their heads all night. It turned out to be the best birthday gift anyone ever gave me! I never heard such a beautiful sound! One of them happened to look up as he left the stage and we all went crazy. After that, they always acknowledged the crowd sitting behind them as they walked off the stage, and at the end of the concert, they turned their backs to the people in the “good” seats and sang directly to us! After that, I went out in the middle of a snowstorm to buy the Three Tenors CD. Thank you, Jonathan for introducing me to opera. What a great birthday gift! It was a night I’ll never forget. What a wonderful bonding experience!