Huby Newton was born in Tukwila, Wash., to Dana Newton and Lois Cathey Newton, fifth of seven children. Abandoned by their father when the stock market collapsed, the family found a way to survive, then thrived. Huby excelled in school, skipping second grade. As a child he enjoyed singing with his family. He would sing all his life. As a teenager, he developed a love of golf, caddying at Foster Golf Course and honing his own game to be a nearly-scratch golfer. At 17, his right hand was crushed in a printing press accident, and was amputated above the wrist. His ebullient spirit would not allow him to be beaten by this. He learned to tie his shoes and write left-handed. Using prosthetics, he played golf into his 90's.
Huby graduated from Seattle Pacific College, where he was student body president. He then attended New York Biblical Seminary, where he met Marie Brooks. They were married in 1948. Huby was ordained and served as a Presbyterian minister in Pennsylvania, Washington and Oregon. He became pastor at Moreland Presbyterian Church in Portland in 1965, teaming with Marie, who was director of Christian Education. In 1968 he changed careers and became an award-winning life insurance salesman. He and Marie divorced in 1977 and Huby married Peggy Strombom in 1978. They divorced in 1998 and Huby re-married Marie in 1998. Marie died in 2014.
Huby was a member of Kiwanis for more than 50 years, and co-founded a Kiwanis program that has raised millions of dollars for physician fellowships at Doernbecher Children's Hospital in Portland. For the last seven years of his life, Huby was lovingly cared for by Terry Morales at Love and Care Adult Foster Home. Huby is buried (with Marie) at the Old Scotch Church Cemetery in Hillsboro. The countless people whose lives were touched by Huby Newton appreciated his lighthearted sense of humor and his kindness toward and love of others.
Huby is survived by his brother, Gordon; former wife, Peggy; his three sons, Jonathan (Meghan), David (Teresa) and Daniel (Terry); eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. A memorial celebration of Huby's life will be held at 2 p.m., on (his 102nd birthday) March 10, 2024, at Moreland Presbyterian Church, 1814 S.E. Bybee Blvd. Attendees are encouraged to wear yellow, Huby's favorite color. The family suggests donations in Huby's memory be sent to the Kiwanis Doernbecher Children's Cancer Program, 13160 S.E. 172nd Av.e, Apt. 230, Happy Valley, OR 97086.